POISON Ivy is not just the climbing, shrubby, thicket and weeding plant we know. WHAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE MYSTERY IS THE ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE THAT IS TRANSFORMING OUR PLANET
Poison Ivy: a mysterious botanical intrigue
L’poison ivycommonly called “poison sumac” O “Canada edera” (Toxicodendron radicalns), it is a to climb which belongs to the family of Anacardiacea, widespread in North America and Central America. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the common ornamental ivy (Ivy helix).
The fascinating “Canadian” he hides in the woods, meadows and gardens; it can take different forms and adapt to a wide range of habitats, from shady forests to sunny glades.
What makes her so fascinating is her ability to confuse the senses with her own changeability: It can appear as a twining vine, a dense shrub, a small shrub or even a patch of grass.
Even the leaves, in different sizes and shapes (smooth or serrated), make it difficult to recognize the plant.
And this is a dangerous trait. As can easily be deduced from the name itself, poison ivy is in fact poisonous. A chemical called urushiol, that causes itchy blisters and painful. But there is another mystery surrounding this plant: its relationship with the climate change.
A strange connection
I biology Lewis Ziska dell’Columbia University e Jacqueline Mohan of the United States Botanical Garden of Washington DC, conducted a unique experiment.
They exposed poison ivy to levels of carbon dioxide which the planet is estimated to reach by the end of the 21st century.
The result was astonishing: the plant thrived as if taking advantage of the CO₂, absorbing it and transforming it into a life force.
How is that possible?
Explaining the mystery is So far.«When carbon dioxide increases, climbing plants in particular benefit. They don’t have to produce wood; they lean on the surrounding trees and exploit the surplus carbon to grow stems and leaves».
This “Pact with carbon‘ has made Poison Ivy an even more formidable opponent.
But there is another shocking revelation: after the experiment, the plant sharpened its poisonous weapons.
Consequently, in a hypothetical future climate scenario, it is assumed that sumac could produce an even more allergenic form of urushiol, which could cause even more violent skin reactions.
Now let’s look at the plant from a different perspective.
Ivy isn’t that bad
Although it represents an insidious enemy to humans, other creatures benefit from the vine’s power.
Susan PellExecutive Director of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington DC reveals the mystery.
«Apart from humans, poison ivy does not cause allergic reactions in other species. On the contrary: the seeds are an important food source for many birds, while the leaves are a delicious feast for herbivores such as deer.”
In addition, its ability to take root even in the driest soil and its rapid growth make it a valuable ally in the fight against erosion.
Let’s learn more about plants
In an era characterized by poor knowledge of plants, as the English define it “plant blindness” Means what plant blindness, this poisonous creature therefore encourages exploration and awareness.
«It is a very versatile plant. Sometimes there are even all different copies‘within the same population”, Pell continues. For example, in the same area, the researcher was able to observe plants with leaves measuring one inch, while others were as large as a human face.
It is certainly not easy to distinguish, but if you take the time to observe and get to know it, poison ivy becomes unmistakable.
During one field trip, Pell, an expert on this plant, pointed out that poison ivy’s young leaves resemble those of the American vine.
«When they are young it can be very difficult to tell them apart.”, he claims. Ergo: if in doubt, it is better not to touch it.
As for toxicity, an ancient belief, according to which plants a three leaves they are poisonous, as it seems to be confirmed by the protagonist of our story.
However, there are many plants that, despite their three-leaved stems, are harmless and deserve to be known and admired: the trillium, the clover, the raspberry and many others.
In short: trained eye, danger avoided!
Sources
National geographic