There is only one plant I know of that would actually bite you and that is the Venus Fly Trap. A bite from that plant would not be painful or even leave a bite mark. The four plants you will read about here all grow in this area and can cause mild to severe skin rashes resulting in pain, suffering, medicated creams and prescriptions.
Poison Ivy is generally the first poisonous plant that people think of. The old saying, "leaves of three let me be," refers to the three leaflets that make up one leaf. Other plants such as raspberry and boxelder have leaves that can easily be confused with Poison Ivy.
Poison Ivy plants can grow in the form of a small plant, a small bush or tree and even a vine that climbs high into trees. Virginia Creeper is another vigorous vine that climbs trees; however, it has five leaflets and is not harmful. All parts of the Poison Ivy plant contain urushiol oil that, when touched, spreads quickly on the skin due to the oily nature. Urushiol oil is very potent. One nanogram (one billionth of a gram) can cause a rash on human skin!
Poison Hemlock is a magnificent plant that found its way to ditches and fence lines in just the last few decades. I call it magnificent because it has large, shiny, beautiful, fern-like leaves. This plant is symmetrical and can grow 6 to 8 feet tall. In June, clusters of tiny white flowers appear followed by light brown seeds. All parts of this plant are poisonous to people and livestock. If you mow this plant down, be careful that juice from the stems don’t touch your skin. Blisters can form that look similar to Poison Ivy rash.
Wild Parsnip has been a common weed in the area for as long as I can remember. In the last 10 years, it has become an invasive weed in many parts of North America. It has been crowding out other friendlier ditch plants like the Foxtail and Brome grass. This plant will grow up to 5 feet topped with tiny yellow flowers in a flat, open cluster. The sap from this plant contains chemicals called furanocoumarins which, when exposed to sunlight, can cause a severe burn within 24 to 48 hours.
The fourth plant on my list can actually be eaten! Stinging Nettle when picked young can be used in salads, cooked like spinach, or steeped as a healthful tea. The problem arises when this plant gets bigger and matures. Hair-like barbs on the stems and leaf veins contain an irritant that feels like a bee sting if they touch bare skin. It is a sharp stinging pain that will go away in 10 to 15 minutes. It generally does not cause a lasting painful rash like the other plants mentioned above.
So how do you protect yourself when hiking out in nature? First and most important is to educate yourself and be able to identify these plants. Look them up and share the information with your family and friends. Then go out and try to find these plants so you know what they look like in their own home turf. Second, dress appropriately for your outdoor activity. A long-sleeved shirt and long pants with hiking boots and socks will protect you from poison plants and also ticks, mosquitos and gnats. Third, if your skin is exposed to poison plants, do not spread it by scratching or wiping your face with your hand. The oil can be easily spread, especially if you wipe sweat off your brow.
If you are "bitten," wash the exposed area with clean soapy water as soon as possible. Rinse with clear cool water. Launder your clothes to remove any residual oil. Consult a pharmacist for creams to use or seek medical help if a serious rash forms. And remember, "leaves of three let me be."
