My Mother was attacked by a plant this week. No, it wasn't some weird alien, mad scientist sort of thing. It was a plain ordinary plant that had a very nasty affect on her skin.

I've had those kind of burns/ blisters that you get from poison ivy or poison oak. (Afterwards we couldn't be sure which is was). I went walking in a wooded area wearing sandals. The blistery things were itchy and they spread from my feet to my ankles and hands. I wasn't very good at resisting the impulse to scratch them and play with them. (It's the mad scientist in me).

However, my Mother's plant attack was different. It didn't itch. It did leave her with big, ugly gashes on the back of her wrist and hand. It really did look like she was attacked with a knife. Kind of creepy really. But, it was a plant.

She thinks it was the harmless meadow rue which we have had planted in the garden for years now. I'm not so sure. It doesn't make sense really. Why would she have a reaction to the touch of this plant now when she has worked around it for years? Anyway, that mystery may never be resolved.

Anyway, should you have something in your garden that you don't know on sight, wear gloves when you pull it out. Some plants can be poisonous to the touch, not just when eaten. Or, if you have access to a wild plant reference book, look it up first. See if it's a risky plant and then decide if you want to pull it or grow it. Some of our more interesting garden plants have come in from nature (birds, wind and fate). Also, make sure you know the plants you choose from the nursery. Read about them, there is a chance that pretty little flower may be more than you bargained for.

Happy gardening!