Poison Ivy
The leaves of poison ivy, if touched, will provoke a painful, poisonous rash on the skin of most people. This is caused by the irritating, acrid juice in the leaves. This juice probably protects the plant—for instance, no cattle will enjoy eating it.
Poison Ivy
Thousands of cases of ivy poison could be avoided if everyone knew the plant.
Remember, the poison ivy vine has three leaves on a stem, while its harmless and beautiful cousin, Virginia Creeper, which resembles it so much, has five leaves on a stem.
Jack stepped forward and showed the girls the difference in the leaves, just as they are pictured here.
They examined them carefully.
“I think I’ll never mistake poison ivy for that other plant,” said Eleanor.
“I hope not,” Bet chimed in, “for I am so fond of—