Eastern Poison Ivy

To the Europeans poison ivy was an oddity and the center of classification disagreements. Learn about the Eastern Poison Ivy, its relatives, and the people who obsessed over this plant. This episode covers some rich taxonomy and botany history as well as some of the odd individuals who tried to make this itchy plant mainstream. 

Plants mentioned in today's episode:

• Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
• Cashew/Sumac Family (Anacardiaceae)
• Sumac (Rhus spp.)
• Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix aka Rhus vernix)
• Asian Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron orientale)
• Western Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii)
• Western Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)
• Atlantic Poison Oak (Toxicodendron pubescens)

People mentioned in today's episode:

• Capt. John Smith (1579-1631)
• Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1656-1708)
• Jacques Philippe Cornut (1606-1651)
• William Bartram (1739-1823)
• Empress Joséphine Bonaparte (1763-1814)
• André-Ignace-Joseph Dufresnoy (1733-1801)
• The Coasters (band) – Poison Ivy  (1959)

For those who may want to skip ahead:

1:20 Taxonomy & Types of Poison Ivy

10:30 History of Poison Ivy

Sources:

USDA Toxicodendron radicans

USDA Toxicodendron diversilobum

Poison-Ivy / Poison-Oak / Poison-Sumac The Virulent Weeds

No Ill Nature: The Surprising History and Science of Poison Ivy and Its Relatives

Britannica Poison Ivy