Avoid These 4 Poisonous Plants That May Lurk in Your Yard

poisonous plants
Residing in Florida allows you to enjoy the landscape surrounding your house throughout the year. Shrubs, flowers, green grass and other natural amenities can beautify your property. However, there could be hidden dangers lurking between some of your plants. Poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac and wild parsnips are poisonous plants that you want to make sure that you avoid while you are outside enjoying the landscape. It is highly likely that you are one of the individuals that are allergic to these nasty summer weeds. Statistics from the American Academy of Dermatology indicate that over 85 percent of individuals on the planet will suffer from allergic reactions if they come into contact with these poisonous plants.

Poison Oak

poisonous plants - poison oak
Poison Oak has fuzzy green leaves that form in three leaf clusters. The leaves on these poisonous plants have rounded tips and are lobed with grooves. A few of the species are also identified as having white or yellow berries. If you are allergic to this plant and you come in contact with its leaves, you may break out in a rash that forms blisters. If you are unlucky enough to have this occur, the best method to alleviate the problem is to soak your affected skin in cold water. After that, mix three parts baking soda to one part water and apply this mixture to your blisters. This remedy will help the itching sensation until you have a chance to talk to your local pharmacist about any over-the-counter creams that they would recommend.

Poison Ivy

poisonous plants - poison ivy
Lingering between low plants, polls, and trees, poison ivy can be identified as having three leaves with tooth like edges and a smooth surface. The leaves on these plants will change color throughout the season. They may start out as a reddish color during the spring, transform to green during the summer months and form a yellowish-orange color during the Fall. These plants are also often carrying berries with a whitish-yellow tint or flowers that have a greenish-white color. You can use the baking soda and water mixture to alleviate the itching sensation that may occur if you come in contact with these unfriendly weeds. Also, over-the-counter creams will help soothe the itching that occurs from touching this plant.

Poison Sumac

poisonous plants - poison sumac
Another plant that can irritate your skin is the poison sumac. The leaves on this plant can be identified as having as many as seven to thirteen smaller leaflets that have a smooth edge. Similar to Poison Ivy, the leaves are orange when they begin the growing season in Spring, turn green between July and August and transform into a yellowish-orange hue by Fall. These poisonous plants will form into the shape of a tall bush or small tree when they grow. There also may be flowers or fruit that is attached to the plant — the small fruit will have a greenish-white hue, and the flowers will look greenish-yellow. Wash any affected skin with some water and soap and treat the area with a corticosterone cream that’s found over-the-counter.

Wild Parsnips

poisonous plants - wild parsnips
These plants are identified as having leaflets that are arranged on either side of its stem. They can spend more than one year in rosette stage and then bloom into a multitude of tiny yellow flowers. Each of these flowers has five small yellow petals that are curved in. If you come in contact with wild parsnips, you may break out with multiple blisters. Use some mild soap and water to wash the area that is been infected and be sure to contact medical help if the blisters on your skin do not subside in a timely manner.

Request a Free Estimate for Your Residential or Commercial Landscaping Project

Request a Quote

Hiring a Residential Landscaping Professional

A professional landscaping service has the ability to immediately recognize many of these poisonous plants. Their weed control services will eradicate any threats that may lurk in your yard. In addition, to offset some of the larger aspects of keeping your residential landscaping in pristine shape, you may want to consider using other residential landscaping services of a professional landscaping company. By using services such as lawn maintenance and tree and shrub maintenance, you can avoid coming across some of the poisonous plants mentioned above. Regular lawn maintenance and residential landscaping services will ensure that the curb appeal of your home stays spectacular. It can also ensure that weed control is a top priority. Consider using the services of Executive Landscaping to keep the surrounding areas of your home looking great and free of threats.