Spotlight: Poison Ivy         Poison ivy can be identified by its three pointed leaves. The middle leaf has a longer stalk than the other two. The edges of the leaves are usually toothed or smooth, and the leaves can be from 8 to 55 mm long. They are reddish when they come in the spring, turn green in the summer, and in the fall become yellow, orange and red. The poisonous sap that is released (urushiol) may cause rashes and skin irritation. It grows in large amounts in parts of the United States and southern Canada. Poison ivy usually grows as a vine twining on tree trunks or straggling over the ground.   Interesting Facts: Only 1 nanogram (billionth of a gram) needed to cause rash Average is 100 nanograms for most people Only 1/4 ounce of urushiol needed to cause a rash in every person in the world 500 people could itch from the amount covering the head of a pin Written by: Jen Cashorali