BENEFITS OF POISON IVY

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Poison ivy really is good for something

Photos by Reese Lukei

By Mary Reid Barrow

Leaves of three, let it be, that is, only if you are human!

If you ever thought poison ivy was good for nothing, think again.

Just like most native plants, it serves its purpose very well. And raptor expert, Reese Lukei, has a vine on a tree in his Little Neck yard that proves the point. He took the wonderful photo above of a pileated woodpecker with a little white poison ivy berry in its mouth.

“It is a delicacy for the birds,” Reese said, “just not for my skin!”

The majority of humans are allergic to poison ivy, but animals are not. Many species of birds, too numerous to relate, dine on the berries. And mammals like bears, deer, and rabbits eat the berries, stems, and leaves.

Like other berried plants and FINISH READING HERE

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