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Native Plant Society of Texas

Dallas Chapter

The Itchy Business of Poison Oak & Poison Ivy – May Speaker

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In this subversively funny talk, Amy Martin, author of Itchy Business: How to Treat the Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Rash, Prevent Exposure and Eradicate the Plant (www.Itchy.Biz), will share her deep knowledge gleaned from 12 years working in wildlife habitat management. Martin breaks the rash into 4 stages for her unique approach, each with a different tactic using the 3 Cs of rash relief: calm, cool and constrict. Home remedies are ranked and rated, as are a world of unique herbal and mineral rash products. The many ways to practice safe scratch are revealed. She details how to prevent the poison ivy allergen urushiol from reaching the skin and the right way to remove it if it does. Martin shares the weird (urushiol mummies, poison lacquer, and trees that fume urushiol) and the wonderful (poison ivy’s excellence for wildlife and erosion control) in a talk that will leave you itching for more.

Signed copies will be available for sale after the talk; cash or check please. If you’re unable to attend the talk, buy the book here — http://amzn.to/1SHa21X — and fear nature no more.

Photo Courtesy of Amy MartinPhoto Courtesy of Amy Martin

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About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason