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Auburn, June 8---Many Alabamians fall prey each year to the discomfort, itching and pain from contact with poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.

These plants are found throughout the Southeast says Dr. John Everest, a weed scientist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Because of their varied appearance, the plants are easily confused with Virginia Creeper, box elder or fragrant sumac, all of which are nonpoisonous.

The irritating plants range in appearance from rough, woody vines to erect wood shrubs or trailing shrubs that run on the ground. Leaf shapes also vary on plants.

Poison ivy is often found climbing high on trees, walls or fences or trailing on the ground. This woody vine has hairy looking aerial roots and can grow to more than 10 feet tall, says Everest. All parts of the plant are poisonous and poison ivy always has three leaflets. Flowers and fruit form in clusters on slender stems attached to the leaf limbs.

Poison ivy toxin is an oil in stems and leaves. The rash usually starts with itchiness and swelling, followed by a reddish inflammation of tiny pimples. The rash can vary in severity from person to person and from year to year on an individual. The rash can begin as early as an hour after contact or up to five days after contact. The oil can even be transmitted from a pet's fur or from smoke of burning poison ivy.

Poison oak is very similar to poison ivy, but it does not climb. Its leaves are thicker, are a dull green and are hairy on both sides of the leaves. Poison oak is found in dry, sunny sites in woodlands, thickets and old fields.

Poison sumac is a shrub and can grow to 25 feet tall. Leaves are also different --7 to 15 inches long and have 7 to 15 leaflets to a central stem, with one leaflet at the end of the stem. It is found mostly in swamps or moist bottomlands. Poison sumac also has ivory or white berries that form in clusters.

May and June are the best times to apply control measures to these poison plants, but it can be done any time of the year. Always identify the plant before attempting any control measures, Everest says. Spraying the foliage with glyphosate (sold under the trade names of Roundupä or Kleenupä and others) is recommended. To kill poison ivy on trees, cut the vine above the ground and treat plants on the ground with Roundupä . This will kill the roots and prevent sprouting. Always follow directions on the label when using this herbicide. Glyphosate will kill almost any plant that it contacts.

Remember that the vine left on the tree or fence still has oil in it so be careful if you pull the vine down. Even if the vine is brown and looks dead, it still may have oil in it.

Burning can be dangerous and is not recommended for disposal or as a control measure because the toxic oil from the plant can be carried in smoke.

To prevent these plants from poisoning your summer, become familiar with how the plants look and avoid them. If you come in contact with one of the plants, wash your skin with strong soap and hot water immediately, and remove and wash all clothes, including shoes and socks in a strong detergent and warm or hot water. Also, keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth and face.

If you develop a rash, don't scratch it. You can apply calamine lotion, zinc oxide ointment or a paste made with baking soda and water to the rash. If these measures don't work, call your doctor.

Some people have severe allergic reactions to the these plants and can have swelling in the throat, breathing problems, weakness, dizziness and bluish lips. Some people even fall into unconsciousness. If any of these reactions occur, seek emergency medical care.