That’s an awful bigoted slogan in my book. While one should pay attention to anything that follows the rule of three – be it the fire gong in an office building or three leaved plants, not all three leaved plants are harmful. Box alder and virignia creeper is common along river banks and partial sun exposure ecosystems in Upstate NY but it is harmless – it’s not Urishol bearing poison ivy.

I am terribly allergic to Urishol. This sap gives me blisters that can easily explode on my skin, pop and be an itchy, goo filled mess. One my face I’ve had my eyes swell shut and it’s hard to breathe. Often poison ivy hangs out close to immature box alder and Virginia Creeper as they like similar ecosystems and in some forms can look alike. But I don’t fear or stay away from Virginia Creeper and all three leaved plants, I just look carefully to ensure no poison ivy and be on my way.