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Plants of the Omaha Indian Reservation
An Ethonobotanical Report
Toxicodendron radicans American Indian Names There were no Native American names found. Description Poison ivy can grow as a shrub up to four feet tall, as a ground cover from four to ten inches high, or as a climbing vine on various supports. It came from Europe and is known for the urushiol it produces which causes an itching rash. The leaves are compound with three almond-shaped leaflets. The berries are grayish-white and a favorite winter food of birds. The color ranges from light green to dark green, turning bright red in the fall. Each leaflet has a few or no teeth along its edge, and the leaf surface is smooth. The stem and vine are brown and woody. Habitat and Location Poison ivy grows vigorously throughout much of North America. It grows by the powwow grounds on the Omaha Reservation. It can grow so large that the vine is mistaken for tree branches. It rarely grows at altitudes above 5,000 feet. Uses There have been some instances of using poison ivy by the medical community. It was used by doctors in Europe in the 1600's to treat palsy, ringworm, paralysis, acute rheumatism , and as a sedative. The leaves are used to make a tincture, but extreme caution must be taken due to the reaction that may occur if too much is used. The urushiol oil actually causes an allergic reaction. Some people are not allergic to it, but can become sensitive over time. If poison ivy is burned and the smoke inhaled the lining of the lungs will develop a rash and may cause death. Eating the leaves could also cause death. By Joshua Caramony
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