Poison Ivy (Eastern)

(Toxicodendron radicans)

Poison Ivy is a plant that is native to Florida. Leaves of 3, let it be! The poisonous sap that irritates the skin is present in the leaves, roots, stems and berries. It takes about 20 minutes for the sap to be absorbed into the skin so if you wash with soap and water, you may not get a rash. Burning Poison Ivy can cause your throat to swell from the oils carried by the smoke. Some people are not bothered by the plant. Flowers appear in the spring and summer. Greenish berries follow. The fruits are eaten by birds. Leaves turn red in the late fall. The leaves are eaten by gopher tortoises. Large vines may be seen wrapped around trees.

Information Provided by the Friends of Barefoot Beach Preserve
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