Does poison ivy grow on a vine?
Identifying poison ivy is an essential skill to develop whether you love the outdoors, work outside, or are an avid gardener. The poison ivy plant, while having the familiar characteristics of leaves of three, can look a bit different depending on the season and geography. Besides the fact that it has similar poisonous relatives that do not have this characteristic, poison ivy can also grow in deceiving ways.
What makes poison ivy and its relatives dangerous?
Poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak—three plants you’ll have to look out for when outdoors—contain oil that causes an allergic reaction that develops into a nasty rash. This rash lasts from days to weeks, sometimes needing special treatment. The oil is known as urushiol, and its structure includes molecules known as haptens, which bind to skin cells. Nothing happens to the affected skin cells, but your immune system will recognize it as a threat and start attacking it along with the cells surrounding it, attempting to stop what would have otherwise been a relatively harmless bond.
Identifying the dangerous plant
There is an old saying, “leaves of three, leave them be,” which is reasonably accurate. While following the expression will usually help you avoid poison oak or ivy, poison sumac grows with seven to fifteen leaves on long, red-colored stems. That said, even poison ivy can grow in ways that could deceive you. The following are the different ways the plant grows:
- A single plant - This is usually what you look out for. This is how poison ivy grows before it spreads.
- A shrub - Poison ivy can grow on top of itself, creating a bush or shrub-like appearance. Always be careful when walking through bushes.
- As a vine - The plant crawls as a vine, sometimes covering the whole ground and sometimes as a wall of greenery.
- Like tree leaves - There are times when the plant vine grows on trees, climbing up and branching all over, making it look like tree leaves.
Poison ivy can take you by surprise
Due to the various ways the plant grows and how its poisonous relatives differ in appearance, it is essential to prepare yourself before going outdoors by familiarizing yourself with its different forms. Unfortunately, even seasoned outdoor lovers can be caught off guard, which is why it is always advisable to carry a first aid kit so you’re prepared to face the dangers of the wild.
Tec Labs is the number one producer of products formulated for the outdoors to help with poison ivy, oak, and sumac exposure. Detox Wipes are a waterless solution that is safe for humans and pets alike. Tecnu Original and Tecnu Extreme washes away urushiol before it seeps into your skin. Topical products such as Rash Relief and Calagel are ideal to counter the effects of any rash that forms. Be prepared for any possibility—have Tecnu products in your first aid kit so you can outdoor more.
