Easy Rhymes To Help You Avoid Poison Ivy This Spring

Thanks to a post on Facebook from my cousin Tiffany, here are some great little sayings to help you identify and stay away from Poison Ivy. I wish I would have learned these when I was a kid...maybe it would have helped me avoid it. Keep your eyes open, and remember these simple rhymes.

IF BUTTERFLIES LAND THERE, DON'T PUT YOUR HAND THERE

Butterflies land on Poison Ivy because they aren't affected by it, and it sometimes keeps predators away from them.

LEAVES OF THREE, LET IT BE

Although many plants have groupings of three leaves, Poison Ivy often is identified and avoided by just knowing this. If it has three leaf groupings, just be safe and stay away if possible.

HAIRY VINE, NO FRIEND OF MINE

Poison Ivy on trees has a furry raggy appearance. If you see it, you may not want to touch or climb that tree.

RED LEAFLETS IN THE SPRING...IT'S A DANGEROUS THING

New Ivy leaflets can have a reddish appearance in the spring, but will eventually turn green, and become harder to identifiy as summer approaches.

SIDE LEAFLETS LIKE MITTENS WILL ITCH LIKE THE DICKENS

Watch for the little notches...these can be a dead give away that you're messing with the wrong plant!