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Have you ever discovered a poison ivy rash after a long day of gardening at your lake house? As nature lovers, we’ve all been there. While poison ivy might first come to mind when you think of poisonous plants, there are many other hazardous plants to look out for. To avoid these plants, it’s crucial to recognize them. We spoke with experts in the gardening industry for advice on identifying hazardous plants, especially those common at lake houses.
What are Hazardous Plants?
Let’s start with the basics. Hazardous plants produce toxins as a survival mechanism to keep herbivores at bay. The poison does no damage to the plant itself because once the poison is stored, it becomes “locked away” in cell vacuoles. It only affects those who touch or try to ingest it.
However, not all toxic plants are the same. The toxin levels differ based on the plant, and only some parts of the plant may be poisonous. For example, a rhubarb plant’s stem can be eaten (it makes excellent pie) but its leaves are poisonous to ingest. Further, some plants are toxic but medicinal in smaller doses. Doctors have used the poisonous foxglove plant to create Digoxin, a heart failure medication.
Examples of Hazardous Plants
Most people have toxic plants in their yard, even if they don’t know it. Some well-known poisonous plants in the U.S. include oleander (its poison is the subject of the movie White Oleander), angel’s trumpets, foxglove, milkweed, poison sumac, poison oak, wild parsnip, and pencil cactus. As a caveat, these plants, which can be hazardous, are not all bad. For example, the milkweed plant is vital to the livelihood of the endangered monarch butterfly. So if you plant it in your yard to attract these beautiful insects, be sure to keep it away from kids and pets. However, some hazardous plants are more common in lake areas. Derek Gaughan, owner of Prince Gardening, names four to look out for.
The first is hemlock or poison hemlock. Hemlock is famous for causing Socrates’ death, and once ingested, it’s usually too late for treatment. Poison ivy is also incredibly common among lake homes and cabins. Similarly, stinging nettles, identifiable based on their hairy leaves that embed into the skin, are found in wooded areas and streams. Finally, daffodils are also hazardous. “However,” Gaughan clarifies, “this is more dangerous to pets who may ingest it than humans.”
Hazardous Plants by Zone
Hazardous plants differ depending on your lake area’s climate and soil type. For this reason, the U.S.D.A. Hardiness Zones tool is especially useful. This resource helps you determine which plants are most likely to thrive in your area of the country. Whether you’re in zones 1-3, 4-6, or 7-9, you’ll be at risk for a unique set of hazardous plants. “When it comes to identifying toxic plants, you don’t have to know all of the toxic plants in the world,” says Gregory Birch, owner of Gardens of Bacchus. “Instead, you should spend time familiarizing yourself with the toxic plants in the regions where your lake house is. These are the plants that pop up unexpectedly.”
Identifying Hazardous Plants
Because hazardous plants have overlapping characteristics, they’re hard to identify. Derek Gaughn recommends searching for your state on the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. Additional tools include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s brochure and Greenbelly’s guide to identifying poisonous plants. Using these resources, Emma from Garden Zoo concludes that “the best way to identify hazardous plants is to familiarize yourself with pictures of the varieties common to your area.”
Additionally, some rules of thumb can help you identify hazardous plants. For instance, many poisonous leaves have a waxy sheen to help them create toxins. If you notice this sheer coating, avoid the plant. It’s also important to avoid brightly colored berries. Finally, the old “leaves of three? Let it be” aphorism helps identify poison ivy.
How to Protect Your Yard
To take an active approach and prevent these hazardous plants from growing, planting native flowers and plants is helpful. Mowing frequently will also discourage hazardous plants from growing. However, if you do discover problematic plants, you can take a few different approaches.
Derek Gaughan recommends treating them with an herbicidal spray containing 2,4-Dichlorophenoxacetic acid. Although chemical sprays are effective, Dan Bailey, president of WikiLawn, advises using something organic if possible. “Many of the commonly-used chemicals (Roundup’s formula, for example) can also do significant damage to your lawn,” he warns. Another intervention is cutting poisonous plants off from the sun and water so they’ll die on their own.
When removing hazardous plants, take necessary precautions by wearing thick boots, long sleeves and pants, and gloves. Afterward, wash your hands thoroughly, and don’t touch your face. If you accidentally touch the plant, the CDC recommends immediately rinsing your skin with rubbing alcohol, degreasing soap, and water. For itches, use an antihistamine as directed.
Although your yard may not be a total Little Shop of Horrors situation, it’s best to stay vigilant about hazardous plants. From us at Lake Homes Lifestyles, we hope your garden thrives this summer!