Poison Ivy

Toxicodendron radicans
Cashew family (Anacardiaceae)

Description:

Poison ivy grows vigorously in portions of the Nature Park. It is abundant along the edges of the Rim Trail, Rail Trail, and Creekside Trail. The best way to avoid poison ivy is to stay on the trails.

Poison ivy produces urushiol (pronounced you-ROO-shee-ol). Urushiol is a skin irritant that causes an itching rash. Corticosteroids can be used to treat rashes. Urushiol produces an allergic reaction. Approximately 80% of humans are allergic to poison ivy. The resin is oil-based, so it doesn't wash off easily in water. Smoke from burning poison ivy can irritate the lungs and throat if inhaled.

Poison ivy grows as a shrub, a ground-covering vine, or a climbing vine on trees. Large vines growing on trees often look like tree branches.

Leaves:
"Leaves of three, leave it be." Poison ivy has three leaflets. The edges of the leaves may be smooth or coarse-toothed. Sometimes the leaves look glossy or shiny.

Flowers
Flowers are small and yellowish and apppear in May and June.

Fruits
Fruits are small, smooth, white, ball-shaped, and clustered. The fruits are eaten by many species of birds; the birds do not digest the seeds but excrete them out, thus promoting seed dispersal.

 

 


Poison ivy leaves turn bright red during autumn


Poison ivy berries