7 hazardous plants to avoid on the path of the Apalaches

METROAny of us went to the trail of the Apalaches with the desire to get more in touch with nature, but sometimes our immune systems are not 100% aboard this plan. The famous AT green tunnel is a beauty thing, but it contains its share of poisonous plants, many of which grow in surprising abundance along the path with the whites.

Some are only toxic if they ingest them, while others can cause irritating or frankly dangerous skin reactions if it simply represses them. This is what you need to know.

1. Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron Radicanos)

The obvious, so let’s get it out of the way. We have written a complete article about the wonders of the favorite diffuse friend of three leaves of all, but here is the short version:

The poisonous ivy is widespread throughout all AT. It can take many different forms, ranging from a small herbaceous plant on the forest floor to a hairy vine that winds the trees to a woody sink with woody size. The leaves may seem green or red, matte or bright, depending on the season.

The key identification characteristic of poison ivy is its distinctive groups of three serrated leaves (hence the saying, «leaves of three, which is»). And as a general rule, gives any hairy vines that finds a broad liter. Because it can grow like a bush or a vine, it means that the leaves can excel on the path to several feet from the ground, so not only look down around your ankles if you are trying to dodge the poison ivy.

Each part of the plant, from the stem to the leaves to the hairy vines, is poisonous and can cause a very unpleasant eruption, itching and spicy, so avoid contact at all costs. Even if you have not reacted to the poison ivy in the past, the more times it is exposed to it, the more likely it will be reacting in the future. If you are especially allergic, contact is widespread or gets into your skin or mouth, it can be dangerous.

Fountain: University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Read below – How to deal with Poison Ivy on the path of the Apalaches

2. Spicy Ortiga (Urtica Dioica)

The name says it all, really. The stem and leaves of the spicy Ortiga plant are covered with fine and irritating hairs that can stay in their skin and inject an irritating substance that causes an intense sting. The discomfort will normally fade alone in approximately 15 minutes, but, of course, it is better to avoid those 15 tremendously uncomfortable minutes if it can.

Interestingly, the spicy ortiga is also used in traditional medicine and is obviously delicious and nutritious when cooking (heat neutralizes tacaño bits, as well as drying). However, brushing against him as an unsuspecting hiker is not a pleasant experience.

The plant can grow up to six feet high (yes, what could go wrong!) And it is widely distributed throughout North America, even throughout AT. He prefers wet and disturbed soils, so be more care in edge habitats (such as when the path crosses a road or a power line).

Fountain: NC status extension service

3. Veneno hemlock (Conium maculatum)

Photo: Djtanng via Wikimedia Commons

The poisonous heft is not really related to the hemlock trees: the high perennial leaf trees that we know and love. It is actually in the carrot family, and the white lace flower groups of the plant remind the wild carrot, also known as Queen Ana’s lace.

However, the poisonous hefts is distinguished by its smooth and mottled purpillo stems and clusters of more vaulted flowers, compared to Queen Ana’s lace flowers and the hairy green stems. It also tends to grow higher, between 3 and 10 feet, while Queen Ana’s lace tends to remain below three feet, according to the extension service of the North Carolina State University.

The queen Anne’s lace is edible, but as the name implies, the poisonous heft is poisonous if it is ingested. Don’t eat it! Just touching it should not be a problem, so this is one to take into account if you like to search the path. If you break the stems, the sap can cause a cutaneous eruption.

The poisonous heft is invasive and is widely distributed throughout the United States.

Fountain: NC status extension

4. Vaca Parnip (Maximum Heracteum)

Photo: USFWS WEST Region

Like the venomous hemlock above, the cow tastinilla is also found in the carrot family and also presents clusters of small white flowers, although its appearance is quite different from that of the poisonous healing thanks to its thick, hairy and ranking stems. It is also native to North America, unlike poisonous hemlock, and is widely distributed throughout North America.

Vaca Parsnip is actually more closely related to giant Hogweed, which also also appears on this list.

Be careful not to touch the cow tap: contact with its sap, combined with exposure to sunlight, can cause an irritating and blistering eruption and skin discoloration. According to reports, resulting ampoules and scars can take months or even years to heal in some cases.

As frightening that it sounds, the cow tastinilla is actually less dangerous than its invasive cousin, giant Hogweed, which we will discuss next.

Meanwhile, if you come into contact with the cow’s cow, wash the area and keep it protected from sun exposure for 48 hours.

Fountain: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

5. Hogweed giant (Heracteum mantegazzianum)

Photo UET via Wikimedia Commons

Hogweed giant is an invasive and very dangerous plant that can be found in many, but not in all, the states of the trail of the Apalaches: its range is mostly contained in the north half of the path so far. However, such is the nature of invasive species that the current range of confirmed sightings can continue to expand, so continue with caution throughout the trip. TO Map of the Confirmed Rank of the species It is linked.

Breaking, or even brushing against the plant can release a toxic sap that causes serious burns and scars that could last years and lead to long -term complications. If you put in your eyes, you could be blind. The giant beer is exceptionally large, which grows up to 14 feet high with leaves up to five feet in diameter, so eye contact is not out of discussion.

Of all the plants on the list, this is probably the most unpleasant. If you see a giant green plant with clusters of white flowers in the form of umbrella and purple spots on the groove and hairy green stem, err next to the precaution and do not touch it. If it touches it, wash the area immediately and keep your skin covered and protected from sunlight for 48 hours. If you get a reaction, consult a doctor: this is not a light.

Hogweed giant prefers sunny areas and wet soils can often be found in fields and together with streams and forests. However, it tolerates the partial shadow and can also be found inside the forest.

Fountain: New York Environmental Conservation Department

6. Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Photo: Fritzflohrreynolds Via Wikimedia Commons

Mayapple is a lovely native species that is common in the floors of the forest along the path of the Apalaches. It is small, usually only grows approximately one foot or more height, with a single white flower that grows under the protection of the leaves of the plant’s umbrella. That flower finally becomes a small fruit that I think is more like a pear than an apple, but I suppose that «Maype» does not have the same ring.

Mayapple does not cause contact dermatitis, that is, it will not experience pain and suffering if it accidentally touches it. However, each part of the plant is poisonous if it is ingested, including immature fruits. Small amounts of ripe fruit can be safe to consume, so I have bothered to mention Mayapple in this list: the fruit looks very tempting, but approaches with caution.

7. Trumpet Creeper (Campsis Radicans)

Photo: Fritzflohrreynolds Via Wikimedia Commons

Trompet Creeper is a better wooden hunter characterized by its elegant trumpet -shaped orange flowers the exact color of sunset. It is so beautiful that you could be tempted to have fun between its glorious flowers and cross your hands and all that, but you should definitely do that because touching the plant can give you an eruption. Hence his other less charming name: Vine Cow-Ich. The eruption is characterized by redness and swelling, but usually only lasts a few minutes.

Given the fact that simply touching the plant can cause an allergic reaction, I was probably not thinking of eating it. But in case you were: don’t do it. The trumpet vine is also toxic when ingested. In general, its toxicity level (both for contact dermatitis and for ingestion) is considered low, but still. No.

Fountain: NC status extension

Maybe wear pants

It probably does not need to say it, but this is not an exhaustive list of toxic plants or otherwise dangerous on the path of the Apalaches. Devils, if we only go with the broad adjective of the «dangerous» blanket, I could continue and continue on my archimesis, Greenbriar, Frogg destroyer.

One of the best things on the path of the Apalaches is its extraordinary biodiversity: the abundance of vegetation that you will find on this path is really a pleasure. Even so, plants are as motivated to stay alive as the rest of us, and many have their own defense mechanisms that hikers should be cautious. I certainly do not want this publication to deter anyone from reaching the path; Simply avoid contact with unknown plants the best you can and consider using pants.

Outstanding image: Mayapple in the Shenondoah National Park, through SHENANDOAH NPS. Graphic design by Mackenzie Fischer.