Guide to Identifying Poisonous Plants in Georgia: Ivy, Oak, Nettles

Be Aware of These Common Poisonous Plants in Georgia

Georgia's warm climate allows a diverse range of plant species to thrive across the state. Unfortunately, some of these plants can cause painful rashes, blisters, and other reactions if you brush up against them. It's important to learn how to identify the most common poisonous plants and trees in Georgia so you can avoid them.

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is found throughout Georgia and is one of the most notorious poisonous plants. It contains an oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash in most people. Poison ivy grows as a vine or ground cover. It has three leaflets with smooth or toothed edges. Leaves can be green or reddish. Poison ivy vines have aerial rootlets that look like hairy ropes. Don't burn poison ivy, as inhaling the smoke can cause a reaction.

Poison Oak

Poison oak is often mistaken for poison ivy, but it typically has clusters of three leaves while poison ivy has an alternating leaf pattern. Poison oak leaves are also generally coarsely lobed or toothed compared to poison ivy's smooth edged leaves. Poison oak can take the form of a shrub or vine. Like poison ivy, it contains urushiol oil so contact causes a blistering rash.

Poison Sumac

Poison sumac is a woody shrub or small tree found in swampy, wet areas of Georgia. Its leaves have 7-13 smooth-edged leaflets arranged in pairs with one at the end. Poison sumac sap contains urushiol and causes severe rashes if touched. Avoid marshy areas where poison sumac grows.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is a common weed with heart-shaped, toothed leaves and tiny stinging hairs all over its stems and leaves. Brushing up against it causes a painful stinging or burning sensation. Wearing long pants and sleeves can protect against stinging nettle when hiking near it.

Bull Nettle

Similar to stinging nettle, bull nettle has arrowhead shaped leaves with stinging hairs. It lacks stinging hairs on its stems, but contact with leaves causes a painful sting. Bull nettle grows in partially shady areas in Georgia. Protective clothing can prevent irritation.

Cow Itch

Cow itch, also called velvet bean or cowhage, is a vining plant with pods covered in irritating hairs that can cause itching, redness, and blisters if touched. Unfortunately cow itch often grows among other plants so it can be hard to spot. Wearing gloves when handling unknown plants helps avoid accidental cow itch exposure.

Wood Nettle

Despite its name, wood nettle is not related to stinging nettle but is a member of the nightshade family. This perennial herb has oval, wrinkled leaves. Tiny prickly hairs on the leaves and stems cause pain and numbness when touched. It's found in partially shaded woodlands in Georgia.

How to Identify and Avoid Common Poisonous Trees in Georgia

In additional to irritating shrubs and vines, Georgia is also home to several species of poisonous trees. Here's how to identify and steer clear of poisonous trees in Georgia's forests:

Poison Oak

Poison oak can also take the form of a shrub or small tree in Georgia. The leaves are usually hairy and lobed with three leaflets. It produces clusters of white berries. All parts of poison oak contain urushiol and can cause severe contact dermatitis.

Poison Sumac

Poison sumac trees can grow up to 30 feet tall in Georgia's swampy areas. They have alternately arranged leaves with 7-13 smooth-edged leaflets and large drooping clusters of white berries. Urushiol in the bark and leaves causes rashes.

Chinaberry

Chinaberry is an attractive landscape tree, but all parts of it are toxic. Ingesting leaves, berries, or bark can cause headaches, vomiting, and other symptoms. Chinaberry grows to 60 feet tall and has clumps of purple, olive-like fruit.

Cherry Laurel

Cherry laurel is an evergreen Georgia shade tree with glossy, oval leaves and small, cherry-like fruit. Young leaves and seeds contain cyanide and amygdalin, which can be fatal if eaten. Keep children and pets away from cherry laurel trees.

Black Walnut

Black walnut trees produce round, green fruits that turn black when ripe. The nuts, outer husks, stems and leaves contain juglone, which can cause allergic reactions if handled. Horses are especially sensitive. Use caution when around black walnut trees.

What to Do if You're Exposed to a Poisonous Plant in Georgia

If you happen to brush against a poisonous plant or tree in Georgia, here are some tips for treating exposure and getting relief:

Wash With Soap and Water

If poison ivy, oak, or sumac oil gets on your skin, wash with soap and cool water as soon as possible. This can help remove some of the oil and limit the reaction.

Apply a Wet Compress

For stinging nettle and other plant exposures that cause stinging/burning, a cool wet compress can help soothe the irritated skin and relieve pain.

Use Hydrocortisone Cream

Applying an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream containing 1% can ease itching and swelling from plant reactions like poison ivy or stinging nettle.

Take an Antihistamine

Oral antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can help relieve itching from poisonous plant rashes. Follow dosage on the label.

Leave Blisters Intact

Try not to break or pop blisters from plant reactions as this can lead to infection. Allow blisters to heal naturally.

See a Doctor if Needed

Severe reactions with extensive rashes, trouble breathing, or blisters on the face or sensitive areas may require medical treatment with prescription steroid creams or oral medication.

Identifying Common Poisonous Plants in East Georgia

Eastern Georgia offers beautiful scenery, but some endemic plants can cause nasty reactions. Here are tips for identifying irritating plants in east Georgia:

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy thrives throughout Georgia, including the eastern region. Look for the characteristic leaflets in groups of three with a reddish tint. Climbing poison ivy vines produce aerial rootlets.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle grows in partially shaded areas in east Georgia. Distinctive heart shaped, toothed leaves and tiny stinging hairs help identify it.

Cow Itch

Watch out for cow itch's vining habit and bean pods covered in irritating hairs when hiking east Georgia's trails. Protect hands when pulling unknown plants.

Wood Nettle

This member of the nightshade family inhabits Georgia's eastern woodlands. Look for wrinkled oval leaves and tiny prickles on stems to identify wood nettle.

Chinaberry

The landscape chinaberry tree produces clusters of dangerous berries. While beautiful, keep kids and pets away from chinaberry trees in east Georgia.

Avoiding Poisonous Plants When Hiking in West Georgia

Heading out on the trails in west Georgia? Be on the lookout for these common irritating plants:

Poison Oak

Poison oak is often spotted in scrubby areas of west Georgia. Look for its hairy, lobed leaflets in groups of three and clusters of white berries.

Poison Sumac

Poison sumac flourishes in west Georgia's swamps. Identify it by its smooth-edged leaflets in pairs with one on the end and drooping white berry clusters.

Bull Nettle

Bull nettle's arrowhead shaped leaves with stinging hairs predominantly grow in partial shade in western parts of the state.

Black Walnut

Stay clear of black walnut trees in west Georgia, as the nuts and other parts can cause skin and respiratory irritation.

Cherry Laurel

The ornamental cherry laurel shade tree can be found across Georgia including western areas. Avoid ingesting leaves or seeds.

Protecting Yourself from Poisonous Plants When Enjoying Georgia's Outdoors

Don't let poisonous plants deter you from enjoying Georgia's abundance of natural beauty. Just take these precautions when spending time outdoors:

• Learn to identify the most common poisonous plants in Georgia
• Wear long sleeves, pants, socks and closed toe shoes when hiking
• Put on gloves when clearing brush or pulling unknown plants
• Stay on designated trails to avoid brushing up against irritants
• Keep pets on a leash and avoid letting them mouth plants
• Never burn poisonous plants, as inhalation can be dangerous
• Shower after spending time outdoors to wash off plant oils
• Treat plant rashes promptly with soap, cool water, hydrocortisone, and antihistamines

Taking proper precautions allows you to safely enjoy Georgia's great outdoors among the beauty of nature without suffering painful plant reactions.

Key Takeaways

Georgia is home to several species of poisonous plants and trees that can cause irritating rashes, blisters, and other reactions. Be on the lookout for poison ivy, oak, and sumac, stinging nettles, bull nettle, cow itch, wood nettle, chinaberry, cherry laurel, and black walnut. Learn to identify these poisonous plants by their distinctive leaves, fruits, and growth habits. Wear protective clothing and shower after outdoor exposure. If you do get a poisonous plant rash, wash the area promptly and use hydrocortisone cream, cool compresses and oral antihistamines to relieve symptoms.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.