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In Praise of Poison Ivy: The Secret Virtues, Astonishing History, and Dangerous Lore of the World's Most Hated Plant
Deadly. Powerful. Beautiful. The much-hated plant called poison ivy is all of these—and more.
Poison ivy has long irritated humans, but the astounding paradox is that poison ivy is a plant of immense ecological value. In Praise of Poison Ivy explores the vices and virtues of a plant with a dramatic history and a rosy future. Once planted in gardens from Versailles to Monticello, poison ivy now has a crucial role in the American landscape. The detested plant is a lens through which to observe the changes and challenges that face our planet.
For centuries, poison ivy has bedeviled, inconvenienced, and downright tortured the human race. This book covers the unique history of the plant, starting with the brash and adventurous explorer Captain John Smith, who “discovered” poison ivy the hard way in 1607. Despite its irritating qualities, the magnificent scarlet-and-gold autumn foliage lured Virginia entrepreneurs to export the vine to Europe, making it one of the earliest documented New World plants to cross the Atlantic, and its meteoric rise to fame as–of all unlikely things—a garden plant. Showcased in the pleasure grounds of emperors and kings, poison ivy was displayed like a captive tiger, admired by Thomas Jefferson, Marie Antoinette, and Josephine Bonaparte.
Today, poison ivy is valued by environmentalists and native plant enthusiasts who name it one of our most important plants for wildlife as well as for soil conservation. In Praise of Poison Ivy will reveal why, in its native American habitat, poison ivy is a plant of astonishing ecological value. Poison ivy leaves are an important wildlife food, and the berries are a crucial source of winter nutrition for beloved bird species like robins, bluebirds and cardinals. On a national listing of hundreds of native plants that are of value to wildlife, poison ivy ranks seventh in importance.
InPraise of Poison Ivy also explores the question of why this plant is apparently on a mission to give us humans grief, from itchy ankles to life-threatening medical emergencies. The book will examine why poison ivy targets humans, but no other species, and explain the mystery of why a privileged few are immune to its itchy consequences.
Since the time of John Smith and Pocahontas, the American landscape has changed in countless ways—many obvious, some subtle. This book will reveal why there is far more poison ivy on the planet now than there was in 1607, with lots more on its way. It examines the ecological reasons for poison ivy’s rosy future, note the effects of climate change on native plants, and investigate the valuable role that poison ivy could play in our changing world.
Poison ivy has long irritated humans, but the astounding paradox is that poison ivy is a plant of immense ecological value. In Praise of Poison Ivy explores the vices and virtues of a plant with a dramatic history and a rosy future. Once planted in gardens from Versailles to Monticello, poison ivy now has a crucial role in the American landscape. The detested plant is a lens through which to observe the changes and challenges that face our planet.
For centuries, poison ivy has bedeviled, inconvenienced, and downright tortured the human race. This book covers the unique history of the plant, starting with the brash and adventurous explorer Captain John Smith, who “discovered” poison ivy the hard way in 1607. Despite its irritating qualities, the magnificent scarlet-and-gold autumn foliage lured Virginia entrepreneurs to export the vine to Europe, making it one of the earliest documented New World plants to cross the Atlantic, and its meteoric rise to fame as–of all unlikely things—a garden plant. Showcased in the pleasure grounds of emperors and kings, poison ivy was displayed like a captive tiger, admired by Thomas Jefferson, Marie Antoinette, and Josephine Bonaparte.
Today, poison ivy is valued by environmentalists and native plant enthusiasts who name it one of our most important plants for wildlife as well as for soil conservation. In Praise of Poison Ivy will reveal why, in its native American habitat, poison ivy is a plant of astonishing ecological value. Poison ivy leaves are an important wildlife food, and the berries are a crucial source of winter nutrition for beloved bird species like robins, bluebirds and cardinals. On a national listing of hundreds of native plants that are of value to wildlife, poison ivy ranks seventh in importance.
InPraise of Poison Ivy also explores the question of why this plant is apparently on a mission to give us humans grief, from itchy ankles to life-threatening medical emergencies. The book will examine why poison ivy targets humans, but no other species, and explain the mystery of why a privileged few are immune to its itchy consequences.
Since the time of John Smith and Pocahontas, the American landscape has changed in countless ways—many obvious, some subtle. This book will reveal why there is far more poison ivy on the planet now than there was in 1607, with lots more on its way. It examines the ecological reasons for poison ivy’s rosy future, note the effects of climate change on native plants, and investigate the valuable role that poison ivy could play in our changing world.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 6, 2016
In the tradition of Mark Kurlansky, Anita Sanchez has written IN PRAISE OF POISON IVY: THE SECRET VIRTUES, ASTONISHING HISTORY, AND DANGEROUS LORE OF THE WORLD’S MOST HATED PLANT for adult readers. Paired with her children's book LEAFLETS THREE, LET IT BE, the two books pair perfectly for a family summer read. The adult title is a wonderful journey through poison ivy’s rich history. Who knew that poison ivy was once exported to Europe as a decorative garden plant? It also includes some helpful hints in case you inadvertently meet up with this plant during the coming months.
October 15, 2023
If you're wondering why poison ivy is such a confusing plant and why it affects everyone differently, read this. Quite a good book. No unnecessary info. It felt like she was beside me teaching me about it! 5/5. Also, read this in a forest with squirrels telling me to leave 😂
July 5, 2017
If you are a gardener or nature-lover, this is a must-read. If you are not one of these, you still must read this book! It has so many little nuggets of information, philosophy, cultural and life lessons written in Sanchez' wonderful style. It is conversational without being sloppy or lazy; it is educational without being pedantic; it has respect, pathos, humor in a wonderful blend. You know there will be a new discovery in every chapter, and it pulls you along.
September 10, 2022
Delightfully readable book encompassing all parts of the natural history of poison ivy! The story starts with John Smith and includes a surprising cast of characters from Napoleon to Charles Darwin to John James Audubon. Thomas Jefferson and John Bertram play larger roles. The appendix includes very useful information on how to avoid poison ivy, what to do if get the rash, and how to exterminate it from your yard. As someone with a strong memory of my 6 year old tomboy self who got a foot stuck in a cinder block pile overgrown with poison ivy and had a whopping awful case of it for weeks, I appreciated this book.
August 6, 2017
A great book that I thoroughly enjoyed all the way through. It is chock full of history and science but Sanchez's writing never bogs down. I have new appreciation for this plant. As a long term gardener and hiker, I do think however that Sanchez at times presents this as a plant that can not be conquered and one that has to be greatly feared. I find pulling it out and mowing both work very well. And I agree with the Europeans, who imported it, poison ivy growing up a tall tree is absolutely one of the most gorgeous autumn scenes!
January 9, 2021
The information gleaned from this book stays with one! Fascinating subject, and learning about the spread of native North American plants to worldwide parts is something everyone should know...and vice versa. Plants brought from other countries can ruin crops, insect life, and our natural areas. I recommend that everyone read this book; it's not just about poison ivy, but you won't be afraid of poison ivy after reading.
June 27, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! The chapters are short and easy to read and the stories about the history of and human experience with poison ivy are fascinating and extremely well told.
I also have a huge appreciation for poison ivy that I never had before reading this.
Definitely recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about poison ivy!
I also have a huge appreciation for poison ivy that I never had before reading this.
Definitely recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about poison ivy!
September 5, 2017
This is my second book by Sanchez, and now I know she is one of my favorite nonfiction authors. I'm slightly interested in botany, but Sanchez mixes history, humor, visuals, and an authentic voice to make her topic fascinating. This author has opened my world; I highly recommend her work.
June 12, 2018
A wonderfully amusing and informative book about poison ivy and many other nature topics. I finished it in less than a day. I have a new appreciation for poison ivy and vines in general..
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews