Shrubs of Treehaven - Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans

Foliage Type: leaf Arrangement: compound, alternate

Distinguishing features:

ground cover, shrub or vine
deciduous shrub with long-stalked leaves of 3
compound leaves - 4 to 12 inches long, oval or egg-shaped, rounded or broadly pointed atbase, pointed at tip, usually with a few coarse teeth on margin
leaflets - 1 1/2 to 8 inches long, end leaf long-stalked, side leaves almost stalkless
flowers - small yellowish-green in clusters, blooming May to July
fruit - roundish, waxy white, about 3/16 inches in diameter, maturing August to October

Habitats:

dry mesic sites
mesic sites
wet mesic sites

Often confused with:

Box Elder
Virginia Creeper

Ecological Value:

eaten by deer, grouse, songbirds, bear, rabbit, mice

Did You Know?

all parts of the plant contain a dangerous skin irritant (urushiol).
Breathing smoke from buring poison ivy willcause severe airway irritation as wll as eyes.
Plants are most poisonous in Spring.
85%of Americans will have some type of allergic reaction to it.

Uses / Ethnobotanical uses:

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Last updated on September 30, 2001.

Please send any suggestions or corrections to H. Knodle

Habitats:	dry mesic sites mesic sites wet mesic sites
Often confused with:	Box Elder Virginia Creeper
Ecological Value:	eaten by deer, grouse, songbirds, bear, rabbit, mice
Did You Know?	all parts of the plant contain a dangerous skin irritant (urushiol). Breathing smoke from buring poison ivy willcause severe airway irritation as wll as eyes. Plants are most poisonous in Spring. 85%of Americans will have some type of allergic reaction to it.
Uses / Ethnobotanical uses: