what is poison ivy?

Question

it is a variety of plant

Answer 1

Poison ivy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Poison ivy (disambiguation).
iPoison ivy

Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Division:Magnoliophyta
Class:Magnoliopsida
Order:Sapindales
Family:Anacardiaceae
Genus:Toxicodendron
Species:T. radicans
Binomial name
Toxicodendron radicans
(L.) Kuntze
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans or Rhus toxicodendron) is a plant in the family Anacardiaceae. The name is often spelled "Poison-ivy" to indicate that it is not a true Ivy or Hedera. It is a woody vine that is well-known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people, technically known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. In extreme cases, corticosteroids can be used to treat rashes.
Contents
[hide]
1 Habitat and range
2 Effects on the body
3 Characteristic appearance
3.1 Confusion with other plants
4 See also
5 External links
[edit]Habitat and range

Poison ivy grows vigorously throughout much of North America. It can grow as a shrub up to about 1.2 m (4 ft) tall, as a groundcover 10-25 cm (4-10 in) high, or as a climbing vine on various supports. Older vines on substantial supports send out lateral branches that may at first be mistaken for tree limbs.
Poison ivy is apparently far more common now than when the Europeans first entered North America because it has profited immensely from the "edge effect", enabling it to form lush colonies in such places.
Poison ivy (and oak) rarely grow at altitudes above 1500 m (5,000 feet).
[edit]Effects on the body

The reaction caused by poison ivy, urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, is an allergic reaction. For this reason some people do not respond to the "poison" because they simply do not have an allergy to urushiol. Around 15%[1] to 30%[2] of people are immune to the effects; however, sensitivity can develop over time. For those who are affected by it, it causes a very irritating rash. If poison ivy is burned and the smoke then inhaled, this rash will appear on the lining of the lungs, causing extreme pain and possibly fatal respiratory difficulty. If poison ivy is eaten, the digestive tract and airways will be affected, in some cases causing death.
Urushiol oil can remain viable on dead poison ivy plants and other surfaces for up to 5 years and will cause the same effect.
[edit]Characteristic appearance

The leaves are compound with three almond-shaped leaflets, giving rise to the mnemonic, "Leaves of three, let it be". The berries (actually drupes) are a grayish-white color and are a favorite winter food of some birds.
The color ranges from light green (usually the younger leaves) to dark green (mature leaves), turning bright red in fall. The leaflets are 3-12 cm long, rarely up to 30 cm. Each leaflet has a few or no teeth along its edge, and the leaf surface is smooth. To compare, blackberry and raspberry leaves also come in threes, but they have many teeth along the leaf edge, and the top surface of their leaves are very wrinkled where the veins are. The stem and vine are brown and woody, while blackberry stems are green with thorns.


Poison ivy flowers
[edit]Confusion with other plants
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) vine can look like poison ivy. The younger leaves can come in groups of three but have a few more serrations along the leaf edge, and the leaf surface is somewhat wrinkled. Virginia creeper and poison ivy very often grow together, even on the same tree.
Western Poison-oak leaves also come in threes on the end of a stem, but each leaf is shaped somewhat like an oak leaf. Western Poison-oak only grows in the western United States, although many people will refer to poison ivy as poison-oak. This is because poison ivy will grow in either the ivy-like form or the brushy oak-like form depending on the moisture and brightness of its environment. The ivy form likes shady areas with only a little sun, and tends to climb the trunks of trees, and can spread rapidly along the ground.
Poison Sumac
Blackberry vines bear a passing resemblance to poison ivy, with whose climates they overlap. The chief difference with blackberry vines is that they have spines on them, whereas poison ivy is smooth. Also, the three-leaf pattern of the leaves changes as the plant grows: the two bottom leaves both split into two leaves, for a total of five in a cluster.
The thick vines of grape, with no rootlets visible, differ from the vines of poison ivy, which have so many rootlets that the stem going up a tree looks furry.

Answer 2

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans or Rhus toxicodendron) is a plant in the family Anacardiaceae. The name is often spelled "Poison-ivy" to indicate that it is not a true Ivy or Hedera. It is a woody vine that is well-known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people, technically known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. In extreme cases, corticosteroids can be used to treat rashes.

Habitat and range
Poison ivy grows vigorously throughout much of North America. It can grow as a shrub up to about 1.2 m (4 ft) tall, as a groundcover 10-25 cm (4-10 in) high, or as a climbing vine on various supports. Older vines on substantial supports send out lateral branches that may at first be mistaken for tree limbs.

Poison ivy is apparently far more common now than when the Europeans first entered North America because it has profited immensely from the "edge effect", enabling it to form lush colonies in such places.

Poison ivy (and oak) rarely grow at altitudes above 1500 m (5,000 feet).

You could get more information from the link below...

Answer 3

Yes, it is a plant, creeping plant...

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are plants that can cause a skin rash called allergic contact dermatitis upon contact. The red, uncomfortable, and itchy rash often shows up in lines or streaks and is marked by fluid-filled bumps (blisters) or large raised areas (hives). It is the most common skin problem caused by contact with plants (plant dermatitis).

What causes a poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash?
The rash is caused by contact with an oil (urushiol) found in poison ivy, oak, or sumac. Urushiol is an allergen, so the rash is actually an allergic reaction to the oil in these plants. Indirect contact with urushiol can also cause the rash. This may happen when you touch clothing, pet fur, sporting gear, gardening tools, or other objects that have come in contact with one of these plants.


Hope this is enough info... Goodluck

Answer 4

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans or Rhus toxicodendron) is a plant in the family Anacardiaceae. The name is often spelled "Poison-ivy" to indicate that it is not a true Ivy or Hedera. It is a woody vine that is well-known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people, technically known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. In extreme cases, corticosteroids can be used to treat rashes.

Answer 5

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans or Rhus toxicodendron) is a plant in the family Anacardiaceae. The name is often spelled "Poison-ivy" to indicate that it is not a true Ivy or Hedera. It is a woody vine that is well-known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people, technically known as urushiol-induced contact dermatitis. In extreme cases, corticosteroids can be used to treat rashes.

Answer 6

A vine usually, but can also be a plant that grows in the wild that has a oil on the leaves of the plant or vine that cause a serious irritation to the skin and causes a horrible rash, and if they rash is itched it can be spread to any part of the body, ( which means if u have it, dont itch it) you can actually even be so allergic to it that it can kill you, it just depends on how your body reacts. if it dont clear up just go to the doctors, but try taking a oat meal bath and it should dry up ur rash, just take on every day and it should be gone in no time. It always worked for me when i have gotten it.

Answer 7

Plant which contains an irritating oil, urushiol, in the leaves, berries and roots, which causes itching, blisters and discomfort when it comes into contact with skin. Same defensive mechanism as poison oak. Common in the longleaf pine forest.

Answer 8

hello dear in first step you should wash the local of contact with poison lwith lot of water the use an ice piece on eat to reduce the inflammation in next steo should use antihistaminic drugs that a doctor or pharmacian to you and then if iritation is not stopped absolutly should consult your doctor .

Answer 9

'tis an ivy with poisonous oils on the leaves. It has leaves with 3 points.

Answer 10

It is a woody vine that is well-known for its ability to produce urushiol, a skin irritant that causes an itching rash for most people.