You're welcome Patty, glad I could be of some help. I live in Michigan and ever year I get Nightshade growing in my yard somewhere...usually in the shady areas. I pull it out every year but it comes back because of the birds depositing the seeds. Nightshade has the red berries. Poison Ivy has yellowish white flowers that turn into berries that are whitish with small stripes that makes them look like an orange without it's skin (segmented with the white pith exposed) and they never turn red.
As I said, you can still get a rash from un-poisonous plants so be careful and you can avoid it. For years I have used Fels Naptha Laundry Bar Soap to wash up with after outside chores messing with plants, because regular soap can leave traces of plant oils that may cause a reaction. This is strong soap--it removes all the oils on your skin, your own & plant oils, so after I rinse really well I apply a good moisturizer so my skin won't be too dry. I just bought a bar of Burt's Bees Poison Ivy soap to see if it works as well for removing the oils. It also has an ingredient (jewelweed) to help with itching if you ALREADY have a rash from PI or other plants. It stated it was a "gardener's friend" soap. Take care & good luck. Debbie |
