As if the giant roving mountain lions and the swarms of mosquitoes weren’t enough, now you have to watch out for the plants as well?
And it’s not like you can just avoid them like you can with wildlife. Nature itself is a sprawling playground of plants, where forests and jungles have trees and grass that cover the place as far as the eye can see, so what gives?
Well hold your horses there. It goes without saying that most of the plants you will encounter are actually harmless, otherwise, camping activities would be relegated to being in the high-risk factor, right beside bungee-jumping and skydiving. Not exactly the kind of classification you’d want for a recreational activity meant to help you relax.
Still, it would do you good to brush up on your botany skills before you go out camping. Even if most of these plants do nothing but look pretty, it’s the ones that might actually harm you that matter.
Injuries you can sustain range from a mild but annoying rash, to death. Um. That escalated quickly, but if you watch what you touch, you should be fine.
Here are some plants that you should keep a close eye out for while on your camping trips.
1. Poison Ivy
“Leaves of three, let it be. Berries white, run in fright.”
These phrases are commonly used to refer to the appearance of poison ivy, and for good reason, because if there’s one plant in this entire list that you’re most likely going to encounter in the forest, it’s this one.
True to the saying, poison ivy can be identified by their signature pointed leaflets grouped in threes. They are found growing on tree trunks, using “hairy” rootlets to keep themselves attached.
While not fatal, touching them will give you a nasty rash and a burning sensation which can last for weeks.
The oil in the plant’s sap is what causes this feeling, and it will stick to anything. That means if your camping gear rubs against the poison ivy, touching it might get the poison ivy’s sap on you as well.
If you act fast, you may be able to prevent a reaction from the plant by washing the afflicted body part with soap and water, but do not use hot water. It will open your skin pores and allow the oil into your skin. If not, calamine lotion can help soothe the rash.
Make sure to not scratch the rash, as it can bleed and potentially get infected.
Even with all that, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
For the second part of the phrase, you may find some white berries growing on poison ivy. Keep your appetite under control, as the berries are poisonous. Unless you are a bird that is, in which case this is your perfect food.
2. Poison Oak
Poison oak appears similar to poison ivy. On closer inspection, however, their leaves can be seen as larger, smoother, shinier, and more rounded than the leaves of poison ivy. It grows as a woody shrub.
While it is true that their leaves can be found in threes in the same way as poison ivy, they can also be grouped with five or even seven leaves.
Like poison ivy, its leaves are poisonous and should be left alone. If touched, use the same treatment as with poison ivy. Use water and hand soap or calamine lotion to soothe the blisters. And make sure to not scratch your rash here either.
3. Poison Sumac
Unlike the previous two plants, the poison sumac is a tree, and it can grow as high as 30 feet!
Its leaves also differ from poison ivy and oak; They are instead found in clusters of seven to thirteen leaves, with one leaf on its own at the very end.
However, like poison ivy, they can be spotted thanks to the white fruit growing under its leaves. It also has a distinct red stem.
If touched, treat the afflicted area the same way you would treat poison ivy and oak afflictions: Soap and water if possible, calamine lotion to soothe the blisters and itching. And of course, no scratching any rashes at any point.
4. Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettles has been used for centuries as a remedy for things like painful muscles, joints, and arthritis. Its herbal properties are not to be underestimated.
But as for the plant itself, it may give you a little rash. The stems and leaves of stinging nettles have hair-like structures, which are more like needles. When they come into contact with the skin, these “hair” needles inject chemicals, causing a stinging sensation as well as a rash.
However, unlike the poison plants from above, the effects of stinging nettles don’t last for too long. They’ll be itchy for a few minutes for most cases, possibly stretching to a day for the rare ones, but eventually go away.
It’s recommended to let the chemicals set on the afflicted area by waiting for a few minutes at least, as it is much easier to remove when dry. Wash with water and hand soap. Do not scratch, as it might cause the chemicals to dig deeper and cause further complications.
5. Aconite
Beautiful, isn’t it? Makes you want to pick one and keep as a souvenir during a mountain hike, right?
Wrong.
Aconite, also known as Wolf’s Bane, has a very potent aconitine poison laced on the plant itself, and even simply touching it will make your skin tingle or even go numb.
They can be found in mountainous regions and are easily recognizable thanks to the bright purple wing-like petals of their flowers.
And for whatever reason, do not even think about ingesting this plant. Not unless you want to get severe diarrhea, fall into a coma, or die.
Symptoms can set in after a mere hour, so you won’t have a lot of time on your hands to even get medical treatment in the first place. Don’t let
its glistening appearance fool you, or it may be the last flower you’ll ever pick.
6. Pokeweed
Pokeweed is a common and large plant that can grow up to eight feet, with red stems. White flowers might also be seen sprouting on it.
However, its most noticeable features are its purple berries.
To the untrained eye looking from afar, these berries seem like grapes, thanks to their color and shape. However, unlike grapes, the pokeweed’s berries are toxic to humans. Consuming one or two berries will likely not make you sick. More, however, may cause stomach troubles, such as vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
The pokeweed itself is also poisonous. As such, take care to never touch it with your bare hands.
There have also been circulating methods of pokeweed as a herbal remedy, but unlike the stinging nettles, these claims are largely unfounded with insufficient evidence. The only time pokeweed might potentially be good for consumption is during a very young stage of its life, and even then, it is something best left to the professionals.
It can be found in many places, such as ditches, roads, and open fields. You have likely encountered many of these in your backyard already.
7. Larkspur
Don’t let the beautiful blue flowers and the gardener’s recommendations fool you. The Larkspur is poisonous, and it’s not afraid to bare its fangs when handled incorrectly. They are usually found in high-elevated areas in the wild.
All parts of the plant are poisonous, and therefore, you should never handle them with your bare hands. Luckily, the only thing you’ll get for ignoring this warning is an annoying itch.
It’s another thing entirely if you decide to consume this plant for whatever reason.
Larkspur is packed full of potent alkaloids, and they have a neuromuscular blocking effect. In other words, it restricts your nervous system, eventually leading to cardiac arrest or respiratory collapse. Death follows not long after.
The worst part? There is no specific cure. While there have been treatments with varying amounts of success, there is no silver bullet to cure this poison yet. Leave the pretty flowers alone!
Conclusion
Nature can be beautiful, but it can also be deadly. From the more camouflaged poison ivy to the beautiful larkspur, these plants can quickly turn your relaxing getaway into a medical nightmare.
Always look before touching that leaf.