No, this is not a reference to the University of Akron’s sports campaign begun in 2005. Despite urging everyone to Fear the Roo, Zippy the kangaroo is just not that scary. Of course, common rue, as in Ruta graveolens, seems pretty harmless, too. Also known as herb of grace, it’s a hardy perennial herb that, according to folklore, not only repels demons and evil (and insects, too), but can lend second sight and perfect a shooter’s aim. Still, there’s a reason that rue is synonymous with regret: close contact with its leaves combined with exposure to the sun can cause skin abrasions similar to poison ivy.

This plant has been in my herb border for over five years, waiting for a short-sleeved, gloveless gardener on a sunny afternoon, ready to provide a lesson on the meaning of ‘rue the day.’