Anacardiaceae
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006
"Leaves of three, let it be" is a common warning for poison ivy. Variable in appearance, leaflets may be lobed or unlobed, shiny or dull, light green or dark green!
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006
All parts of the plant produce the chemical "urushiol", which produces a very itchy rash in many people. Poison Ivy grows along the ground as well as climbs up trees.
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006
Roots are covered with small rootlets, creating a hairy appearance.
Recent studies at Duke show that Poison Ivy produces significantly more growth under conditions of higher atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Considering that CO2 is rising in the Earth's atmosphere faster than it ever has, that's just swell.
Very similar to Poison Ivy, Poison Oak grows in sandy habitats, is more hairy, and has hairs structured differently than Poison Ivy. It produces the same skin irritant, urushiol.
Moore Co., NC
10 June 2006
With unripe fruit.
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006
Found in disturbed areas statewide (although rare in the coastal plain).
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006
The pale cream-colored flowers attract many species of insects, including various bees and butterflies.
Caswell Co., NC
17 June 2006