A Photographer's Guide to Dangerous Plants and Ticks in Iowa
If you're photographing in Iowa's natural spaces—fields, trails, gardens, wooded venues—it helps to know what's growing around you. Poison ivy, wild parsnip, and poison hemlock are all pretty common here, and ticks are out most of the year. These aren't things to be paranoid about, but they're worth recognizing so you can work safely and keep shoots running smoothly.
I've been photographing outdoors for years, and I have a big shade garden at home, so I'm constantly dealing with this stuff. I genuinely find plants fascinating (even the dangerous ones!), and knowing what to look for has saved me more than a few headaches—and a lot of itching.
This guide covers what I regularly watch for, what these plants are commonly mistaken for, and how to spot them before they become an issue.
Poison Ivy
Just remember: Leaves of three, let it be.
Where it shows up: Field edges, wooded trails, fencelines, overgrown landscaping, riverbanks. It's really common.
How to spot it:
Grows in clusters of 3 leaflets
Can be low to the ground, shrub-like, or climb trees like a vine
Shiny green leaves in summer, turns red or orange in fall
Vines on trees often look fuzzy or hairy
Stems between the leaves are often reddish
Common lookalikes:
Virginia Creeper – has 5 leaves instead of 3
Boxelder seedlings – can have similar-looking leaf clusters
Why it matters: The oil (urushiol) in poison ivy causes itchy, painful rashes that can last for weeks. It spreads easily on clothes, gear, and even pet fur, so you can get it hours after exposure without realizing.
What to do: This plant is everywhere in Iowa, so it's worth learning what it looks like. If someone brushes up against it during a shoot, have them wash their skin and clothes with soap and water as soon as possible. The sooner the better.
Plant ID photos via Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
[Images: Poison Ivy Leaves | Poison Ivy Vine | Poison Ivy Aerial Roots]
Wild Parsnip
Looks like a pretty wildflower, but it can give you chemical burns.
Where it grows: Roadsides, ditches, prairies, sunny fields. Very common.
How to spot it:
Tall plant (up to 5 feet)
Yellow umbrella-shaped flowers
Smooth green stem
Leaves are jagged and compound (kind of like celery or parsley)
Common lookalikes:
Golden Alexander – similar yellow flowers but smaller and leafier
Prairie Parsley – more finely divided leaves
Why it matters: The sap reacts with sunlight and causes really painful chemical burns—big, blistering welts that take a long time to heal and can leave scars. You won't feel it right away, so people often don't realize what happened until later.
What to do: Best to just avoid touching it. If contact happens, wash the area immediately—ideally before sun exposure.
Plant ID photos via Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
[Images: Yellow wild parsnip flowers | Basal rosette of wild parsnip | Mature wild parsnip]
Poison Hemlock
This one is tall, lacy, and potentially deadly.
Where it grows: Along roads, bike trails, creeks, fields, parks—anywhere with disturbed soil.
How to spot it:
Grows up to 10 feet tall
White umbrella-shaped flower clusters
Hollow, smooth stems with purple blotches (this is the key identifier)
Fern-like, delicate leaves
Common lookalikes:
Queen Anne's Lace – has a hairy stem and sometimes a tiny purple flower in the center
Yarrow – shorter, bushier, fuzzy stems and leaves
Ragweed – similar leaves, but no big white flowers
Why it matters: All parts of poison hemlock are toxic. Ingesting even small amounts can be fatal. Touching it isn't as dangerous as eating it, but the sap can still cause skin reactions, especially if you have cuts.
What to do: Learn to ID those purple-spotted stems. Don't have clients sit in areas where you see it, and don't assume a white-flowered plant is Queen Anne's Lace without checking—these two get mixed up all the time.
Plant ID photos via Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
[Images: Poison Hemlock Leaves | Young Poison Hemlock | Poison Hemlock Stems | Poison Hemlock Flowers | Fully Grown Poison Hemlock]
Ticks & Lyme Disease
Ticks don't fall from trees—they grab your ankles and climb up. Sorry for the mental image.
When they're active: Most of the year. Peak season is spring through early fall, but warmer winters mean they're around even when you wouldn't expect other bugs to be active.
Where they hang out: Grassy fields, brushy areas, trails, under leaf litter—basically anywhere a bit wild.
How they get you: People think ticks drop from trees, but they actually wait on tall grass or plants and grab onto you as you walk by. Then they crawl up your body looking for warm places to latch on.
Why it matters: Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are a real risk here. Lyme can cause long-term joint pain, fatigue, and neurological issues, and it's not well understood yet.
What helps:
Wear tall socks and closed shoes
Treat your shoes and pants with permethrin (a tick repellent)
Wear light-colored clothes so you can spot ticks more easily—nymphs are tiny
Check yourself and your gear right after outdoor sessions; don't wait until you get home or you risk transferring them to your car
Avoid having clients lie down in or walk through tall grasses
Plant ID photos via Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
I photograph in wild spaces all the time, and I love it—but I also stay alert to what's around us. That doesn't mean nothing can go wrong, but it does mean I'm paying attention. If you're working outdoors regularly, it's worth taking a little time to learn what to look for. You don't need to memorize every plant, but being able to recognize the most common hazards helps you make smarter, safer choices while you work.
Have fun and be safe out there!