Plant Identification: Poison Ivy

It occurred to me this week that not everyone is aware of how to identify this itchy plant.  Those of us that are allergic have it burned in our brain!  Do you know what it looks like?

Here’s a few shots as fresher for plant identification:

And here is the Elderberry bush that I dare not walk to as poison ivy currently surrounds it…

Remedies could include vinegar sparingly painted on the sunny leaves of the plant. Why so sparingly? Vinegar will kill most of the plants around it, most microorganisms and leave a brown spot of nothing in it’s wake.  Goats I hear will eat poison ivy.   I’ve entertained renting one! The trouble is, who would rent a goat to eat poison ivy when the milk is now “compromised” with itchy PI oils?  Best keep looking for a solution.  Another suggestion is lay black plastic over it to smother it.  That won’t work for the vine that grows on the fence.  What suggestions do you have for an organic means of poison ivy removal? I’m all ears!

Happy Washing!

~Regina