Poisonous Plants– What Do Poisonous Plants Look Like?
So you’ve got your chainsaw, your clippers, and everything else you need to start that backyard cleanup. Whether you are clearing that untamed area of your yard or just taking out a few trees, there are hidden dangers that you might be overlooking: poisonous plants.
Most people get poison ivy or its nasty relatives because they don’t know what it looks like. So, before you go ripping down vines and pulling up shrubs, take the time to look for these plants before they harm you or somebody you know.
What does poison ivy look like?
Everyone knows that poison ivy is some nasty stuff, but do you really know how to identify poison ivy? The best way to protect yourself from weeks of painful itching is to arm yourself with knowledge.
At first glance, poison ivy may look just like any other harmless vine growing up a tree trunk or just another common weed on the ground. The easiest way to tell poison ivy apart from other plants is that it always has three leaves. One large leaf with two smaller ones sprouting from the side. The leaves can be smooth or serrated on the edges, and have pointed tips. The stems are reddish in the spring, green in summer, and yellow/orange in the fall.
The entire plant secretes a substance called urushiol which, when it comes into contact with human skin, can cause a severe allergic reaction in the form of itchy blisters that can last weeks.
What does poison oak look like?
Poison oak looks like and often grows alongside poison ivy. The leaves of poison oak, however, look more lobed, like an oak tree, but it’s essentially just as potent and dangerous as poison ivy.
If you are working in overgrown areas, be sure to dress for it. Wear long pants, sleeves, and gloves. Throw all the clothes in the wash immediately afterward and take a shower.
Urushiol is nothing to mess around with. The oils can linger on surfaces of wood and clothes for a long time. Never burn wood with poison ivy or that’s recently had poison ivy or poison oak. Breathing urushiol is not a pleasant experience and you can end up with an extremely painful rash in your mouth and throat.
What does giant hogweed look like?
Giant hogweed is one of the poisonous plants to watch for in Ohio, as this plant can cause permanent blindness and very painful rashes on those who touch it.
You may not have heard of giant hogweed, but it has been a growing concern in the United States in recent years. Giant hogweed has been reported locally and is listed on the federal noxious weed list. That means that this plant is so serious that it’s illegal to sell, transport, or propagate.
This wicked weed makes poison ivy look like a mild sunburn. The sap of giant hogweed can cause severe burns and even permanent blindness. No, this is not a weed you want to pull out of your garden by accident.
Thankfully, identifying giant hogweed is pretty easy. It resembles cow parsnip or wild carrots with an umbrella of small white flower clusters. The main difference is that giant hogweed can grow up to 15 feet tall and its leaves are much bigger.
What should I do if I see a poisonous plant in growing in my yard?
When you notice a poisonous plant growing in your yard, it is best to call a professional who can safely remove it for you. If you have questions or need help in your yard, contact LawnMatters or request a quote today.
Contact our seasoned professionals to get
personalized recommendations for your property.
See what our customers have to say
At Lawn Matters, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our customers have to say about working with us.
-
"I highly recommend trying them!"I called LawnMatters in the spring of 2024 because I was tired of doing my own lawn over the years. I reached out to them and they were very friendly and knowledgeable. I said I would try them out. I was very happy with their attention to detail and their- Nick S.
-
"I had a wonderful experience with this lawn service Company!"The quality of service is exceptional for the price, and the customer care truly sets them apart. After an unsatisfactory experience with previous lawn services, I was delighted to find this company through an online search.- Matt M.
-
"I have absolutely no issues with LawnMatters and they are the best in my opinion."LawnMatters purchased my old lawn service company & I was skeptical on how life would be with the new company. I can now tell you that they are even better than what my old care professional lawn care service.- Rich S.
-
"Since switching to LawnMatters my lawn has never looked better."I use to be a DIY lawn service. I purchased all the "right" products and applied them myself at the appropriate times. I still was not satisfied with the results. My neighbor always has a nice lawn and he told me about LawnMatters.- John S.
-
"I would recommend LawnMatters to anyone who wants a great looking lawn."Over the years we have used many different services to maintain our lawn. All of them have led to disappointment. 3 years ago we found LawnMatters, and our lawn has never ever looked better.- Scott R.
-
"LawnMatters is an excellent lawn service."They have taken very good care of my lawn. They have identified any lawn problems and have provided the correct chemicals to bring the lawn back.- Carl D.
-
"LawnMatters has been exceptional in taking care of my lawn fertilization!"Their team is super knowledgeable, highly responsive, and always communicates ahead of time to let me know when they’ll be coming. Thanks to their expertise, my yard is healthy, lush, and looks fantastic year-round.- Dean P.
-
"My grass is improved greatly!"Lawn matters is on time for appointments, very good pricing and applications for your lawns needs. Most of all, professional and courteous to make sure your lawn gets best results.- Eric F.