Poison Ivy—Toxicondendron radicans

The rash associated with poison ivy is caused by the oil urushiol, which is found in all parts of the plant. Poison ivy grows as a vine or shrub and can be found in fields, pastures, woodlands, farms and yards.

poison ivy
Woody perennial. Grows as an erect or trailing shrub or vine.

poison ivy leaves and berries
Compound leaf with three 2-4 inch long pointed leaflets. Two opposite leaflets with larger middle leaflet.

poison ivy leaves
Leaves are glossy or dull green in summer; they may be hairy or smooth and lobed or toothed.

poison ivy flower
Yellow or green flowers in mid-summer.

poison ivy berries
White berries in mid-summer.

poison ivy leaves in fall
Leaves are red, orange and yellow in fall.

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More Information

[Photos, left to right: Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org; Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org; Ohio State Weed Lab Archive, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org; Catherine Herms, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org; Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org.]