Rose?

[Jardin du Fort]

There is a bramble rose that grows in this vicinity... Is this it? any ideas on what kind, or what it is if not the rose?



Thanks!

[rainbowgardener]

Definitely not a rose. It's a vine, most likely variegated euonymous. Even climbing roses are not vines, they still have stiff canes.

I think the euonymous is a pest and would get rid of it.

[Jardin du Fort]

Thanks Rainbow. I did a little searching on euonymus and came up with this link variegated euonymus that describes what I have closely. I might leave it except for one thing: it is described as poisonous. It will go along with the Virginia Creeper when I get to this section of fence!

[rainbowgardener]

That is too bad about the Virginia creeper. It is one of my favorites, native plant, fast growing but not really invasive/aggressive. Lots of birds and animals eat the berries, although they are toxic to humans and perhaps dogs. The sap can be irritating to skin for some people, but not nearly as virulent as poison ivy. I have frequently handled it with no problem, and I am very sensitive to poison ivy. As long as you or your dog don't eat the berries, it is not a problem.

[Jardin du Fort]

OK, well this is off subject on this thread, but I guess I did bring it up....

The Virginia Creeper is growing on the old fence that is being replaced with new fence. I can't really replace the fence without removing at least the vines. However, the roots are growing everywhere in this area, as far as 15' into the yard. I am pulling them up as I go:



That is the variegated euonymus against the far fence.

I do NOT expect to remove ALL the VC roots, and hence am expecting it to recover gradually in a few years. As regards to my sensitivity to it:



DO NOT get it anywhere near your eyes! The rash, which itches like atch eee double hockey sticks, disappears in about 6 to 8 weeks. It is the Oxalia crystals in the sap that are toxic.

[cynthia_h]

I am so sorry for you, and sorrier that I didn't see this thread until today (I've been away from the forum due to other real-life "stuff" this week).

When I had a reaction that strong, I went to the doctor. She prescribed prednisone. But if you can't/weren't able to get to a doctor, allow me to recommend, first, Tecnu: you can wash both your clothes and yourself with it. The U.S. Forestry Service recommends Tecnu to its field staff, so at least there's that much going for it. The price is right, but unless you get right on the exposed area within a day or so, Tecnu doesn't seem to be as effective.

Thus my second recommendation: Zanfel. This stuff costs beaucoup bucks (the last time I purchased a tube, it was $38), but it works. It doesn't seem to matter how long after exposure one applies the Zanfel to the skin: the stuff will reduce the itching (if used as directed) quite rapidly. Only a very little, maybe a half-inch "pearl" of the stuff, works up in your wet hands to a lather which is then applied to the skin. Do not apply to the conjunctiva of the eyes, just to the skin of the face.

I hope you're feeling better by now, but lay in a supply of these products, both of which are available at a regular drugstore. They're marketed as anti-poison-ivy products, but I personally have used both of them when exposed to juniper sap (yes, regular old juniper) and even unknown substances in the garden, which made me look and feel like you look in your photo and, I'm sure, feel/felt as well.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9