Nettle (poison ivy / Rhus radicans) can be identified as follows:
- Nettles have leaves that grow in clusters of threes. Learn more.
- Nettle leaves are pointed at the ends. Learn more.
- Nettles are usually green in spring and reddish-orange in fall. Learn more.
- Nettle grows both as a vine and as a shrub. Learn more.
- The nettle blooms with small clusters of white berries in spring that last all winter. Learn more.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Identifying Plant Traits
Step 1. Look for vines with clusters of three leaves, which can also grow as shrubs or single plants
Poisonous nettle and oak can be found anywhere––forests, fields, backyards, vacant lots, it all depends on where you live. In particular, this plant seems to enjoy growing along fences and stone walls and loves shaded forest edges, fields, and sunny areas.
If grown in rocky areas, nettle tends to overwhelm all other vegetation. If it grows near something like a tree or fence, the nettle will coil itself around the object as it grows, creating a dense, impenetrable mass of vegetation
Step 2. Learn the phrases:
"Three-leaf? Let it go" or "One, two, three? Don't touch me.", because this plant has clusters of three leaves at the ends of long stalks. Further leaf indicators that identify nettle include:
- Look for three leaves that are closely related to each other on each stalk. The tip of each leaf is pointed.
- The leaves are broad, and the two lateral (side) leaves are smaller than the terminal (tip or middle) leaves.
- The middle leaf usually (almost always) has a small stalk, while the two side leaves grow directly from the vine and have no petiole.
- The leaves tend to be light green to dark waxy when viewed from above. When viewed from below, the leaves look brighter and hairy. In spring, nettle leaves are usually bright green, while in autumn, the leaves turn red (nettle) or bright red or orange (poison oak).
- However, while nettle leaves usually appear glossy, this is not always the case. In particular, don't rely on gloss as an indicator if it's been raining recently.
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"Feathered tendrils, not my friend.", and also:
- "The middle stalk is longer; stay away from it." -- the middle leaf has a long stalk while the two lateral leaves are attached almost directly.
- "Coarse rope, don't touch!" The vines of nettle on trees have a hairy, "tattered" or leathery appearance.
- "White berries, run away from there" and "White berries, danger is in sight."
- "Red leaves in spring, it's dangerous." -- new leaves sometimes turn red in spring. Then, in the summer, the leaves are green -- while in the fall the leaves can turn reddish-orange.
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"The side leaves are like a glove, which will cause a lot of itching." This refers to the shape of multiple nettle leaves, where each of the two side leaves has a notch that makes the leaf look like a glove with a "thumb." (Warning:
all parts of the plant can cause itching, not just the leaves.)
Step 3. Check the fruit
If both plants display berries, it will appear as follows:
- Translucency for both plants
- Poison oaks tend to be hairy
- Nettle berries are white or cream
- Nettle fruit tends to remain on the plant throughout winter and spring.
Step 4. Be aware that even when poison oak or nettle changes color, the plant is still dangerous
Despite the discoloration, the urushiol oil remains on the leaves.
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing Poisonous Nettles and Oaks on the Go
Step 1. Inspect the vines before touching, nudging, or walking through them
When growing as a vine, the nettle can stretch along the tree. When it grows like that, thousands of tiny nettle plants sprout from the vines. Always check the vines if you need to approach them, and see if any plants are growing from them.
Step 2. Stay alert even during winter
Poison oak sheds its leaves in winter, and all you can see are bare twigs of hanging vines. It can also cause itching. Don't touch any plants you can't recognize!
Part 3 of 3: Things to Watch Out for
Step 1. Avoid confusing poison oak with other plants
Some other plants have similar-looking double or triple leaves. Other similar plants may have spines on the tips of the leaves (holly or mahonia) or spines on the twigs (blackberries).
If you see a plant that has all the characteristics, but has a uniformly regular leaf shape, or sharp edges at the edges, it's likely no nettle. Nettles have ends that are randomly interrupted and slightly curved between the ends along the edges.
Step 2. Don't be mistaken for an animal that eats any unknown plant:
it is not a safety indicator for humans. Poisonous plants are not toxic to all living things. Deer and other grazing animals can happily eat nettle.
Tips
- Teach children from the moment they can walk not to touch unknown plants. This is part of going to nature. This is especially true during winter when the plant does not have leaves that can be used for identification.
- Once the hives appear, be careful not to cover them as much as possible. The air seems to speed healing.
- Watch for hives two to three days after possible exposure and start treatment right away. Read how to treat itching from poison ivy and oak for treatment options.
- Change shoelaces/boots after exposure to nettle. The oil can stay on the shoelaces, so you can continue to itch.
- Supervise when the dog is allowed to run free. Man no I'm the only one allergic to nettle leaf oil, and you might not notice the difference in a dog's fur-covered skin: check the belly where it has very little hair. Also, be careful, when petting a dog, your skin can also be exposed to nettle oil. Bathe the dog properly, if you think exposure has occurred. To prevent any anxiety, always put a leash on the dog when out in the woods or vineyards, as you should, on any public trail, out of respect for other climbers!
- Learn to identify this plant if you are allergic. Severe allergies can be very dangerous. Bring pictures of nettles with you until you can recognize them immediately.
- Go home and wash any exposed skin carefully after the hike. Wash your hands first before washing your whole body. Use warm water and soap. Normal bar soap no will work. You can use liquid dish soap as an oil solvent; use undiluted, and then rinse thoroughly to remove nettle oil.
- Take Technu or another specialty soap with you and use it immediately after exposure.
- Severe reactions and exposure to contamination can also occur with outdoor cats.
- This plant is also found in Bermuda and the Bahamas.
Warning
- Never burn nettles as a method of exterminating them. The oil on the leaves will burn, and if you inhale the vapors, chances are the vapors will enter your throat or lungs, making breathing very painful.
- Nettle can cling to Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), so never just roll over on the plant. Otherwise, serious consequences are likely to occur. And beware that it's easy to mistake nettle for Virginia creeper. Even though Virginia creeper has five leaves, it is still easy to mistake it for nettle (or vice versa).
