![\"green](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dryqmhk53dy.jpg?resize=780%2C585\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/bijycg8ydc.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"brown](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/mg3g1714jv0.jpg?resize=780%2C519\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/z_jf_bjnbzy.jpg?resize=780%2C520\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/mqiskm2ilgc.jpg?resize=780%2C585\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"blue](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/gbnwr2rc-x4.jpg?resize=780%2C1011\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/5i5xqxodip8.jpg?resize=780%2C439\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"red](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/msmxwouozxi.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nStinging Nettle, Brown Recluse Spider, Poison Ivy, Foxglove, Poison Mushrooms, Don’t Leave Your Tent Door Unzipped!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n A CLEVER person solves a problem. A WISE person avoids it.<\/p>Albert Einstein<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This one is not originally from Ohio. It’s NOT NATIVE, but was actually brought here from Europe. Great job on that one… hindsight is 20\/20. (Maybe Einstein’s quote would have helped…)<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are both good and bad things about this one! (Really, it’s the same with most plants and creatures in Ohio especially the ones on this list.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bad:<\/strong> Personally, I think this one is WORSE THAN POISON IVY. The itchiness is really tedious and sharp. The Good: <\/strong>Once it’s COOKED, it loses its itchiness causing compound. That’s right! It’s edible!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Basic Recipe:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Boil some water or chicken broth. Add leeks and potatoes. turn the heat down to a simmer, then add the nettle … And … Voila! <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best time to gather nettle is when the leaves are newly spouting, typically this is in early spring. It’ more tender, and has sort of a light green, fresh earthy flavor. It feels like eating a grassy meadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep your gloves on while you’re chopping in the kitchen, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n More About Eating Stinging Nettle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.ediblewildfood.com\/stinging-nettle.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also edible: (But an entirely different plant: Dead Nettle.) It springs up early in Ohio, one of the first “weeds” to leaf out at the end of winter. It has purple flowers and looks similar to upright Creeping Charley. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to learn more about edible plants you can find in nature? Here some food-related posts I wrote on Native Joy Garden’s blog. Keep checking back for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oops! One of those above images is NOT POISON IVY. Did you catch my mistake? <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udf43 \u201cLeaves of Three, Leave it Be.\u201d<\/strong> \ud83e\udd8c Crazy but true:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udf43 \u201cBerries White, Run in Fright.\u201d<\/strong> \ud83d\udd0d What to Look For:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udeab Do Not Touch \u2014 Even Bare Branches Can Cause a Reaction!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83c\udf3f \u201cHairy Vine, No Friend of Mine.\u201d<\/strong> \ud83c\udf47 Notice the Details!<\/strong> \u2602\ufe0f Sneaky trick:<\/strong> Here is a good website to learn about some of the poison ivy lookalikes.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pictured Above: Burning Bush, Poison Hemlock, Pokeweed, Purple Nightshade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the worst poisonous plant in all of Ohio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It does stuff to your nervous system… and also smells like carrots!!! How rude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t let it trick you into eating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Short video showing photos of Poison Hemlock in Ohio<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a great website for more details about Poison Hemlock.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can see the various life-stages of the plant, including the way it looks as a cute little seedling. Don’t be fooled! it’s not cute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (That website is Published by Cornell University, but also includes photos from Ohio State research<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Especially around dusk, when mosquitos are the worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not wear DARK COLORS. Mosquitos tend to be attracted to darker clothing and fabrics. See the image below, from WoodlandWoman.ca<\/a> an actual photo of her getting attacked by a swarm of mosquitos in Canada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bug sprays like DEET, picaridin (that\u2019s another name for icaridin), and oil of lemon eucalyptus work well if you use the right amount on your skin or clothes. There\u2019s also something called permethrin that keeps bugs away too, but permethrin should only be sprayed on clothes\u2014not on your skin. (Read more on biting insect protection in this excellent article written by a woman who lives in Canada)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc3a Coyote Safety Tip<\/strong> \ud83d\udeab DO NOT RUN.<\/strong> \ud83c\udf42 Why more sightings in fall?<\/strong> Here is a Website with Some Details on Coyote Safety Tips.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n I made this for a presentation at a local American Heritage Girls<\/a> Troop Camp Out. The troop members are working on their badges for various skills, outdoor skills, survival, etc. This topic aligns with the AHG badgework<\/a> requirement: “Learn about dangerous plants and animals in your area” Hope you found it helpful and informative!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to Learn More?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out the FREE Printable Booklet below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPlants in Ohio to Avoid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Creatures to Be Aware of <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nStinging Nettle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/stinging-nettle-ohio.jpg?resize=380%2C285\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NATIVE-JOY-GARDEN-Ohio-Dangerous-Plants-Nettle.jpg?resize=227%2C317\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/b2gkepiqhks.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nNettle: Pro’s and Con’s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Also Tricky: Nettle can grow different heights, coloring can be light green to dark green, and depending on location might have more round or more narrow leaves. (See the images above for photos of various appearances. It’s ALL nettle.)
Personal Story: I did not learn to I.D. this plant, until I was in college, and actually suffered the itchiness of running into the leaves. It was to late for me! (already itching and regretful.) I swore i would learn to avoid Nettle, then and there. <\/p>\n\n\n![\"woman](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ktrov7eujms.jpg?resize=780%2C520\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
I have tried it in a Spring Leek Soup from a foraged foods website… and it really was delicious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SOPA PRIMAVERA. (Springtime Soup)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be sure you’re wearing thick gloves (leather work gloves, or deerskin driving gloves are my favorite for this kind of foraging.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nPosts I’ve Written About Edible Plants:<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Poison Ivy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/NATIVE-JOY-GARDEN-Ohio-Dangerous-Plants-poison-ivy.jpg?resize=449%2C621\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/3wcf7mpmz6q.jpg?resize=780%2C520\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/poison-ivy.jpg?fit=986%2C554&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
(One is Nettle. Just trying to review what we learned, so far!) \ud83d\ude06<\/p>\n\n\n\nJust in case that tricked you… let’s learn three ways to identify poison ivy:<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/external-content.duckduckgo.com\/iu\/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.surferseo.art%2F1396f78b-cc47-492c-9c91-9ca91fc77ced.jpeg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=b5450a8b56c8672464232c528c052834a7f416347bbc9e2ea82136b9807dca16\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Poison ivy usually grows with three leaflets<\/strong>, but sometimes the lower shoots or new growth may look different \u2014 don\u2019t let it fool you!<\/strong> The rule still stands: If you see three, let it be.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deer can eat poison ivy with no problem at all!<\/strong> Their digestive systems handle the toxic oils just fine. So if you see nibbled vines, it doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s safe for you \u2014 just that Bambi got there first<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/poison-ivy-1.jpg?resize=780%2C438\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
These small, waxy white berries grow in clusters and are a warning sign of poison ivy<\/strong> or poison oak<\/strong>. They often appear in late summer to fall. While birds may eat them, they’re toxic to humans<\/strong> and can trigger a severe rash just like the leaves or vines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/external-content.duckduckgo.com\/iu\/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.ctfassets.net%2Fzma7thmmcinb%2FWShDN43JOsJgyBi6P53Iq%2Fd31a1012d13549c0ee97ad43c246aeba%2FPoison-Ivy-lookalikes-pv2.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=6fc2a5668387f50e074460e7234cd662a949fd1567c0edef3943d5bccb8aaea9\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Poison ivy often grows as a fuzzy, hairy vine<\/strong> climbing up trees or fences. Those root-like hairs help it cling tightly \u2014 a big red flag!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some wild grapevines (and cultivated hydrangea vines) may look similar from a distance, but grapevines are a different texture<\/strong>, and their leaves are big, jagged, and very different from poison ivy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hairy vine might be hidden underneath<\/strong> a burst of three-leaf clusters that spread out like little green umbrellas.<\/strong> So while you’re hiking, brushing past a leafy branch might actually mean you\u2019re touching poison ivy \u2014 even if the vine isn\u2019t obvious.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Toxicodendron-radicans-OHIO.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDO NOT EAT These:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/external-content.duckduckgo.com\/iu\/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fempressofdirt.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FST-LYNNS-GBBB-Honeysuckle-6x.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=43d4bf267bceb12239dea955bd120a69afebbdd3aec68c331314629b066144c4\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/external-content.duckduckgo.com\/iu\/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.cornell.edu%2Fweedid%2Ffiles%2F2021%2F04%2Fintro.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=05046e9a1c7b5acb6a8c0995580bef4293ddec3395f9b9d4052cb7b8c92a55b9\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/external-content.duckduckgo.com\/iu\/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fpegplant.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F09%2Fpokeweedmatureberries-e1537487583587.jpg%3Ffit%3D3024%252C4032%26ssl%3D1&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=b4339d284cf2b871a8cc35b41bdab8e5c01d922c8255c83eaf97a2c77d9ea76c\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/external-content.duckduckgo.com\/iu\/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffthmb.tqn.com%2FUh8fGIDAgZ1u2lbTDHHuajew_Ew%3D%2F5000x3300%2Ffilters%3Afill(auto%2C1)%2Fbittersweet-nightshade-berries-big-56a00fbe5f9b58eba4aeb8f4.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=de2895f884dd9867e6cc2aadef062ab24125de01477c294c10cacc9771991381\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Only ONE of these Four Dangerous Plants is NATIVE to Ohio. Do you know which one?
(Answer: The Poke Berry was actually used by native americans and early pioneer settlers to dye fabrics.)<\/p>\n\n\n\nPoison Hemlock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/poisonhemlockvideolinkthumbnail.jpg?fit=900%2C673&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTips to Avoid Mosquito Bites: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Zip Your Tent Door Shut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"blue](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/gbnwr2rc-x4-790x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"camping](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/63znf38gnxk-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"orange](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/y8ngwq34_ak-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"person](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1azajl8ftnu-713x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\nWear Lighter Colors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/woodlandwoman.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/mosquitoes.jpg?w=780&ssl=1\")
<\/a>
(Photography Credit: Biting Insects: What Works and What Doesn’t?<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRepellent \/ Bug Spray<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
TIP: Try not to combine bug spray with sunscreen because it may cause the bug spray chemicals to absorb into your skin more.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCoyotes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Coyotes are usually not a danger to humans<\/strong> and prefer to avoid people. But if you see a pack<\/strong> of them or if you\u2019re injured<\/strong>, it\u2019s important to stay calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Running can trigger their chase instinct. Instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s when young coyotes<\/strong> are just old enough to leave the den and start exploring on their own \u2014 so you\u2019re more likely to spot them out and about!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/external-content.duckduckgo.com\/iu\/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.berrypatchfarms.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F05%2Fcoyote-babies-are-called.webp&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=9ebf080bc5fff46789e11a1390060d965eb4ff3217bcb6dde0be77d417da1be2\")
(Photography credit: BerryPatchFarms<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNever Stop Exploring<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"native](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nativejoygarden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/cropped-Native-Joy-Garden-logos-e1706894259896.jpeg?fit=342%2C355&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n