Tag: erosion control

Poison ivy on Nantucket
Island Science

It’s a Love-Hate Relationship

As June settles into true summer, the flora of Nantucket really comes alive. The beach roses scent the air along the dunes, our yellow thistles open for pollinators, and the golden heathers carpet the moors. This past week, while enjoying the early summer splendor, another blossom caught my eye: small clusters of whitish-green, each flower only ¼-inch in size. The delicate five-petal flowers aren’t showy or brightly colored, but they are pleasant, gently draping in small clusters. These flowers, however, aren’t the kind to put in an arrangement or bouquet. These deadly beauties actually belong to the poison ivy plant.