Poison ivy gets the celebrity treatment when it comes to plants gardeners should avoid, and for good reason. Its three leaflets have inspired generations of cautious yard work, but several other plants can cause much more serious problems, from painful skin burns to severe poisoning if someone mistakes them for an ordinary weed.
That does not mean every unfamiliar plant deserves a dramatic exit from the garden. It does mean gardeners need a better safety radar, especially when clearing brush, reclaiming an overgrown corner, or pulling weeds along a fence line. A plant can look perfectly innocent while hiding sap, leaves, roots, or seeds that deserve a very wide berth.
