Poison+Ivy

( **//Toxicodendron radicans//** ) Poison Ivy is a producer since it makes and provides itself with its own foods. As people know, poison ivy causes an allergic reaction to the human body usually in the form of a rash and this reaction cause itchiness. As everybody knows this makes the allergic reaction spread. In the winter, some birds like to prey on the berries (particularly drupes.) **Description: ** Poison Ivy can be easily confused with other plants. Poison ivy has three-almond shaped leaves and their berries or drupes are a grayish-white color. The color of poison ivy varies from how old the leaves are. The younger leaves of poison ivy are usually light green and the older, mature, poison ivy leaves are dark green which turn bright red in the autumn season. The leaves are 3 to 12 centimeters long. Each leaf has few of no leaves along the edges and the leaf is very smooth. Poison ivy can grow on a vine, but this plant has no thorns. If one sees a plant with these characteristics than one needs to be precautious since that means the plant is poison ivy. "Plant of the Week: Poison Ivy." __http://www.arhomeandgarden.org__. 3 Jan. 2008. University of Arkansas. 4 June 2008 http://www.arhomeandgarden.org/plantoftheweek/articles/Poison_Ivy.htm
 * // Poison Ivy //**
 * Habitat & Range: ** Poison Ivy grows throughout North America, including Canadian territory except Newfoundland and all United States territory excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and California. There is more Poison Ivy now in North America than when Europeans first came to this region. Also, there is an abundant supply of Poison Ivy Massachusetts and in all of New England. Poison Ivy most of the time found in wooded areas especially near edge areas. Poison Ivy can also grow in open rocky area and open fields.
 * Adaptations & Behavior **: Poison Ivy causes is some cases a severe allergic reaction and other causes a small allergic reaction. Poison Ivy causes a very irritating rash. The first sign on the human body that Poison Ivy has come in contact with the skin is severe itching of the skin which later develops into a reddish irritation and non-colored bumps. Later, blistering occurs on the skin and some severe cases of Poison Ivy clear fluids come out of the blistered area. Poison Ivy prevents the feeding on it by other animals and insects do to that when the plant is eaten foliage is brushed and epidermis is released; this is one adaptation Poison Ivy makes. Since, poison ivy causes an allergic reaction, it is considered to be an adaptation Poison Ivy makes to live in this environment.
 * Ecological Interactions **: Poison ivy tries to escape herbivores from eating it by growing in a location not easily found and by causing the allergic reaction to protect it. Most herbivores that eat the Poison Ivy plant are birds and insects.
 * Author **: Sarah Kaufman
 * Sources: ** Wikipedia � Poison Ivy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_ivy