This Pretty Flowering Weed IS Dangerous

[Snowshoe]

It's poison ivy. I didn't know it flowered till my friend told me about her kids' Grandpa picking it and bringing it in the house to show her and the girls. All I ever heard before was, Leaves of Three, Leave it Be. And no mention of flowers. It's just staring to flower around me.





This is the shrubby version, about 40 cm high. The flowers grow off the woody stem, under the leaves.




Apparently most dogs are not sensitive to the oils in poison ivy, not even on their lightly furred tummies. But Oban does Down Stays when I photo most flowers, so he won't knock them over, get in the way, and most importantly with this one, push it into me. I have never reacted to poison ivy but I read exposure is cumulative so I'm very careful of it.

Jet used to pick golf balls out of a poison ivy patch along a trail and I'd give them to golfing friends. One friend sensitive to poison ivy refused them, even after I'd washed them with the hose. LOL, that trail bisects a golf course and every once in a while I'd find golfers in the poison ivy patch, looking for their errant golf balls, Wearing shorts and low socks!!!!

[smartrock]

I've never seen flowers on poison ivy plants! I'm pretty sensitive to it and try not to get too up close and personal. Even if I wash immediately with Dawn dishwashing liquid, I often still get some rash but maybe (?) not as bad. I usually use Dawn and a washcloth for both the soap and the mechanical friction action. Rinsing the golf balls may not remove the oils that cause the rash. Sorry, I wouldn't take the balls either.

[Jollymolly]

Good to know.

[barry581]

I'm highly allergic. It's no fun I can assure you!