One of the world’s most hazardous plants
Name: Poison Ivy (Rhus toxicodendron)
Otherwise known as: Poison Oak, Poison Vine
Habitat: A climbing or shrub member of the Anarcardiaceae family, reaching 2m as a shrub and 7m when climbing. It has three distinct, broad, spear-shaped leaves, the central one has a long stalk but the laterals are stalkless with a downy underside. It produces slender panicles of greeny-white flowers in the axils, which are followed by clusters of small, brown, globular berries. It is native to North America but can now be found throughout Europe and parts of Asia. The sap and all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous.
What does it do: This plant is one of the most hazardous inhabitants of the great American outdoors. The slightest contact with the leaves or vine will result in a rash and inflammation causing a pain that has been described by the medical profession as excruciating, and leads to ulceration of the affected part. There are as many native remedies for Poison Ivy as there are for snake bite, and none of them work. Solutions of potassium permanganate, carbonate of soda, ammonia and calamine, may give some relief, but only the passage of time will lead to a cure.
In the 17th century the plant became very popular in England as a treatment for herpes, which seems to be a case of trading one irritation for another. It was also used to treat palsy, rheumatism and other eruptive diseases. It is still extensively used by homeopaths to treat ringworm and some skin disorders.
It is not to be recommended for Cypriot gardens, even though it has an attractive leaf colour in autumn.
Common Ivy (Hedra helix), an evergreen member of the Araliaceae family, is also extremely poisonous but has featured more prominently in medicine. Its chemical contents render it antispasmodic, expectorant and a cardiac tonic. Small doses cause dilatation of the blood vessels, while larger doses constrict the same vessels. In the past the leaves were applied to bruises and contusions, but are now known to cause dermatitis.
Its seems all ivies are best avoided.
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