第2256期:How to Deal Safely with Poison Ivy in the Garden

Experienced gardeners have likely learned to look out for poison ivy, a common plant found across North America, Europe and East Asia.经验丰富的园丁可能已经学会了留意毒藤，这是一种在北美、欧洲和东亚常见的植物。

While this green, leafy plant is not life-threatening, it can cause severe skin reactions in many people.虽然这种绿色多叶植物不会危及生命，但它可能会导致许多人出现严重的皮肤反应。

Associated Press gardening writer Jessica Damiano recently wrote that while she personally has not had any bad experiences with poison ivy, many gardeners she knows have.美联社园艺作家杰西卡·达米亚诺(Jessica Damiano)最近写道，虽然她个人没有遇到过毒藤的不良经历，但她认识的许多园丁都有过这种经历。

So in an effort to help gardeners – or people who simply enjoy spending time outdoors – deal with this plant, Damiano has come up with some suggestions for how to find and safely get rid of it.因此，为了帮助园丁——或者只是喜欢在户外度过时光的人——处理这种植物，达米亚诺提出了一些关于如何找到并安全摆脱它的建议。

The official name for poison ivy is Toxicodendron radicans. The plant contains oily chemical compounds, called urushiols, in its leaves, stems and roots.毒藤的正式名称是Toxicodendron radicans。 该植物的叶、茎和根中含有油性化合物，称为漆酚。

The American Skin Association estimates about 85 percent of the U.S. population is allergic to urushiols. Of those, between 10 to 15 percent are considered “highly allergic.”美国皮肤协会估计大约 85% 的美国人对漆酚过敏。 其中 10% 至 15% 被认为是“高度过敏”。

The group says this makes the plant concerning – and possibly dangerous – for about 50 million Americans affected each year.该组织表示，这使得该工厂每年影响约 5000 万美国人，而且可能是危险的。

Damiano writes that this means poison ivy should be removed from gardens in most cases. But that can be tricky; touching the plant to remove it can harm those involved.达米亚诺写道，这意味着在大多数情况下应该从花园中清除毒藤。 但这可能很棘手； 触摸植物来移除它可能会伤害相关人员。

Identifying poison ivy plants can be difficult. This is partly because the plant takes on different appearances at different times of the year.识别毒藤植物可能很困难。 部分原因是该植物在一年中的不同时间呈现不同的外观。

Most often, however, its leaves are made up of three leaflets each. The middle stem is longer than the stems of the side leaflets. Young leaves usually appear shiny, while older leaves do not. Larger, older vines, especially those climbing up trees, are hairy. Leaf color can be green, red, pink-tinged, yellow or orange. Some leaf ends are smooth, while other have toothed edges.然而，最常见的是，它的叶子每片由三片小叶组成。 中间茎比侧小叶的茎长。 嫩叶通常显得有光泽，而老叶则没有。 较大、较老的藤蔓，尤其是那些爬在树上的藤蔓，都是毛茸茸的。 叶子的颜色可以是绿色、红色、粉红色、黄色或橙色。 有些叶端是光滑的，而另一些则有齿状边缘。

Damiano admitted that even she has trouble spotting poison ivy. She has misidentified the plant in the past. She said some people might want to seek advice from a poison ivy expert or do research online. Local agriculture organizations can also be helpful in confirming a poison ivy identification.达米亚诺承认，即使是她也很难发现毒藤。 她过去曾错误地识别过这种植物。 她说，有些人可能想向毒藤专家寻求建议或在网上进行研究。 当地农业组织也可以帮助确认毒葛的鉴定。

When dealing with poison ivy, people should wear protective clothing for their hands, arms, legs and eyes. Avoid touching anything in the process, especially the face. Remember the plant can pass on its poison through clothing or tools.在处理毒藤时，人们应该为手、手臂、腿和眼睛穿上防护服。 在此过程中避免触摸任何东西，尤其是脸部。 请记住，植物可以通过衣服或工具传播毒素。

The best way to completely remove poison ivy is to pull it up by its roots. For gardeners living in a four-season area, the job will be easiest in early spring, when the ground is softer.彻底清除毒藤的最佳方法是将其连根拔起。 对于生活在四个季节地区的园丁来说，早春的工作最容易，因为那时的地面比较松软。

The main roots of the plant can grow down about 30 centimeters and runner roots can spread outward in lengths up to six meters. Both of these root systems must be removed to avoid future growth.植物的主根可向下生长约 30 厘米，而匍匐根可向外伸展长达 6 米。 必须去除这两个根系以避免未来的生长。

All parts of the poison ivy plant must be effectively removed. This material should be placed in a tightly sealed, heavy black plastic bag and set out for waste removal. Poison ivy should never be burned. That is because the smoke is known to contain harmful substances that could be deadly if breathed in.毒藤植物的所有部分都必须有效去除。 该材料应放入密封的重型黑色塑料袋中，并准备好进行废物清除。 毒藤永远不应该被焚烧。 这是因为众所周知，烟雾中含有有害物质，如果吸入可能会致命。

After completing removal operations, do not touch anything. The plant’s poisons can remain. First, wash your hands with one of several specialty products made to completely remove all poisons from the plant. Avoid using your normal soap because these can spread the plant’s oils to other parts of the body. After removing all clothes, take a shower with the same specialty cleanser.完成移除操作后，请勿触摸任何东西。 植物的毒素可能会残留。 首先，用几种专门产品之一洗手，以彻底清除植物中的所有毒素。 避免使用普通肥皂，因为它们会将植物油扩散到身体的其他部位。 脱掉所有衣服后，用相同的专用清洁剂洗澡。