Eastern Poison Ivy - Toxicodendron radicans
Truly an (ob)noxious plant!
Poison Ivy can easily be confused with other plants because the leaf color and shape is so variable. Here are some features that poison ivy definitely has: Three leaflets on one leaf stem, continuing up the branch in sets of
three. The middle leaflet will have a longer stem than the other two. The side veins of a leaflet are placed alternately off the main vein. Leaves in an alternate pattern, not across from each other.
And, you can always go with this rhyme to keep it straight...
Leaflets three, let it be; leaflets
five, let it thrive.
Berries red, have no dread; berries
white, a poisonous sight.
Hairy vine, no friend of mine.
Raggy rope, don’t be a dope.
Red leaves in the spring, it’s a
dangerous thing.
"Toxicodendron radicans", commonly known as eastern poison ivy or poison ivy, is an allergenic Asian and Eastern North American flowering plant in the genus "Toxicodendron". The species is well known for causing urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, an itchy, irritating, and sometimes painful rash, in most people who touch it.
