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UAA Poisonous FACT SHEET

everal of poisonous plants can be found on utility Scorridors. Some are common, such as poison ivy, poison oak, and wild parsnip. Others are less common, and even rare – including stinging nettle, poison , and giant hogweed. these poisonous plants are important in reducing exposure andThe avoidingsuccessful a potentialidentification, trip to avoidance a medical and facility. management of

Exposure to these plants through physical contact (usually touch, but also can be through inhalation if the chemicals are volatilized by burning) can result in pain, itching and even burning that last hours to days, and even months and years (giant hogweed produces blisters, burning and scarring that can last several years). Onset of symptoms can be sudden (such as from stinging nettles) or take days to develop. Adverse effects from exposure to these Jewelweed () plant parts can be crushed and plants can be minimized by treatments such as applying the sap applied to the skin to relieve symptoms of poisonous a special pre-wash to skin and washing exposed skin as plants. Photo by Fritz Flohr Reynolds, https://commons. soon as possible after contact. Yet, these methods are not wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Impatiens_capensis_-_Jewelweed.jpg. always successful – so avoidance is the best way to control WASH immediately with soap and water. The use of alcohol wipes is effective in removing the oils associated with the plants. Washing only works with poisons that are delivered Theexposure. purpose A first of this step factsheet to avoidance is to help is identification. the practitioner on skin surfaces, such as from wild parsnip, giant hogweed, poison ivy and poison sumac. Stinging nettle poison is these hazardous organisms. know which plants to avoid as a first step to protection from delivered under the skin. A paste of baking soda and water can be applied to the area to ease pain and sooth the itching. Management in the Presence of Poisonous Plants common plant associate with poisonous plants – can be Step 1: IDENTIFY – Know the features and growth habits rubbedIf these onremedies the affected are unavailable area). in the field, jewelweed – a and be able to quickly recognize poisonous plants from a distance. Know your management area and develop a sense A second step of treatment after washing is to all for where poisonous plants might be growing (for example, REMOVE contaminated clothing as soon as possible, remembering poison sumac is typically found only in wet soils, often at that clothes and boots may have poisons on them that can the edge of wetlands). If you cannot identify a plant that is be transferred to skin. suspected to be poisonous, do not come in contact with it If a rash occurs, many over-the-counter remedies are available at local pharmacies. Some remedies work well, but Stepuntil 2:you PREVENT can have EXPOSUREit identified. – Do not touch poisonous if an allergic reaction occurs to the plant, or burns or severe plants; all parts are toxic and any contact with skin should blistering are evident, it may be necessary to see a medical be avoided - even if the plant is dead. Cover exposed skin doctor for treatment. with appropriate clothing and gloves, but understand (Continued on back) that plant poisons are often oils that can stay on and soak through clothing. If exposure cannot be managed, applying a pre-wash to skin may help. Take care to launder exposed clothing/gloves separately from other laundry and be aware that the plant oils can remain on boots and tools. FS 107.01 E • 5-2016 Provided by the Utility Arborist Association. Step 3: REPORT the location of poisonous plants to co- Photo credits for images on page 2: 7-8. Courtesy of Lewis Tree Service workers and supervisors. 1. Lauren Tucker 9. Sue Sweeney 2. Kassie Vance 10. Mark Czarnota, University of 3. Randy A. Nonenmacher Georgia, Bugwood.org First Aid After Exposure 4. Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of 11. Melissa M.B. Wilkins Connecticut, Bugwood.org 12. Rusty Clark 5. Joshua Mayer 13. James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Skin is the most vulnerable place for contact with plant 6. Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org Bugwood.org poisons. Exposed skin should be treated as soon as possible. UAA Common Poisonous Plants FACT SHEET

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STINGING NETTLE WILD PARSNIP GIANT HOGWEED POISON IVY POISON SUMAC () (Pastinaca sativa) (Heracleum (Toxicodendron (Toxicodendron vernix) mantegazzianum) radicans) Identification: Identification: Identification: • erect, perennial forb • erect, biennial forb Identification: Identification: • perennial shrub up to 1-6’ tall often forming 1-5’ tall; first year • erect, biennial/ • common low ground 20 foot tall large colonies plant a basal rosette perennial forb 10-15’ cover, small shrub or • rare shrub, regularly • usually found of leaves tall (10x bigger than high climbing vine found in very wet growing in damp, • commonly found in parsnip!) • on wet to dry sites, or flooded soils, nutrient rich soils; all old fields, pastures, • rare, but regularly commonly associated southern US across North America rights-of-way, all found on railroad and with oak/hickory • leaves are alternate, • leaves opposite, across North America roadside rights-of- forests throughout pinnately divided heart- to lance- • leaves pinnate with way in eastern and the US into 7-13 toothless, shaped, coarse distinct, separated northern US • leaves alternate, smooth (entire) toothed, sharp leaflets and • leaves pinnate with three leaflets leaflets; looks like pointed sheathing stalks distinct, separated (compound); large an ash tree but with • stem densely • stem flat and ridges, leaflets and teeth or shallow alternate leaves; covered with stiff, sometimes stout and sheathing stalks lobes, somewhat bright red in the fall; bristly, stinging hairs deeply grooved • stem reddish-purple- shiny but can be differs from other dull; new leaves in that • flowers green and green, blotchy, with • flowers yellow with are usually reddish- poison sumac has tiny on slender fine hairs 4-8” flat, compound green, turning green shorter leaves, fewer interrupted clusters in umbel (umbrella-like) • flowers white in 20” later in the year leaflets, and smooth leaf axils flat, compound umbel leaf edges Symptoms of poisoning (umbrella-like) • flowers small Symptoms of poisoning (cause and effect): yellowish; berries • flowers small, white/ (cause and effect): Symptoms of poisoning small, smooth, yellow in loose Entire plant can cause rounded and white drooping clusters Tips of stems hairs (cause and effect): phyto-photodermatitis; imbed in skin and • grayish-white berries, plant sap on skin in the Entire plant can cause Symptoms of poisoning break off, acting not red like staghorn presence of sunlight phyto-photodermatitis; (cause and effect): like a hypodermic leads to inflammation similar to wild parsnip sumac needle injecting toxins of the skin; poison but much more severe! Entire plant can cause (salicidic acid – same (furocoumarins) skin irritation, itching, Symptoms of poisoning as from ant bites; breaksdown skin rashes and open sores (cause and effect): histamine, acteylcholine, leading to red sunburns within a few days; Same as poison ivy. 5-hydroxytryptamine) in 1-2 days, followed allergic reaction to under the skin, causing by blistering and then poisonous oil urushiol, swelling and itching that scarring that can last for akin to carbolic acid. can last for a few days. years. 2.