SHREVEPORT, La. - For many homeowners, battling unwanted plants in the yard is just part of the routine. But one invasive vine can do more than take over flowerbeds — it can cause painful rashes and even serious respiratory issues.

Mark Wilson, horticulture agent with the LSU AgCenter , says poison ivy is one plant no one wants to mistake for an ordinary weed.

“Poison ivy, just like most of our vines, is a nuisance,” Wilson explained. “It’s tough because of the strong root system. If you just pull at it, you’re not going to get it all, and it’ll keep coming back.”

The key to identifying poison ivy is the plant’s distinctive three-leaf pattern. Wilson says to look closely at how those leaves attach. “If the three leaves connect directly to the stem, that’s poison ivy,” he said.

Gettin

See Full Page