Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy is a food source to some animals but an aggravation to most humans. Poison Ivy is a plant that grows in the forest and urban areas that provide enough sunlight. Poison Ivy has a certain root system that can become a monstrasity. The primary root, "runner root", grows less than 1 inch underground. The runner root grows parallel with the ground and secondary roots grow off the runner root. The secondary roots grow 4-5 inches from the runner root in perpendicular or vertical formation. When someone rips or cuts poison ivy, the roots multiply to compensate for what was cut and ripped off. Poison Ivy has an active ingredient called "Urushiol". Urushiol causes the skin rash, which people commonly get after coming into contact with the plant. This rash can last up to 2-3 weeks with treatment and can be accompanied by blisters depending on the severity of the contact. Urushiol can stay on articles of clothing such as: shoes, gloves, hats, and outdoor uniforms for 3 months if not washed. By touching or wearing these items, you can reinfect yourself. Jewelweed is a plant that grows from the ground in Lafayette, La. Jewelweed is use in a tea as a treatment for dermatitis caused by any plant, including Poison Ivy. The juices from the stem and the leaves themselves are used in the tea. There is a wise saying, "leaves of 3, leave them be". The leaves of Poison Ivy are made of 3 leaflets. The leader leaflet "mother" at the top and the 2 leaflets "daughters" underneath forming a triangle or spade formation of the leaf. Poison Ivy has no flowers but does change color with the seasons. In spring and fall the leaves can change yellow, orange and red. In the summer the leaves are green and in the winter there is no leaves.