Poison Ivy of Brecksville Reservation
These leaflets are ovate or rhombic, entire or coarsely and sparingly serrate, acute or acuminate, sometimes lobed. They are more or less variable, the main and central fact is that there are always three of the, the lateral ones sessile, the terminal one on a a short petiole.
These plants should be exterminated root and branch, but instead of that they are increasing. This is largely due to the immunity they enjoy because people are afraid to touch them, but in winter they could be easily and more safely destroyed; destroyed they certainly should be. The poison is an acrid oil which is easily liberated from the leaf tissue, and quickly permeates the skin of its victim, spreading its irritation on the surface. Water will avail little in removing it; alcohol is much better. Some persons are immune to the poison, others are affected by nearness alone. | Source: Keeler, Harriet L. The Wayside Flowers of Summer. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1917. 104. Print.