Younger plants or those growing from the base of the main stem may have leaves made up of three completely separated leaflets, very similar in appearance to poison ivy. Older plants have a 3-lobed leaf and are usually a glossy dark green. Boston ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata – another woody vine common in urban landscapes, often found growing up the side of a home.Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia – woody vine common in urban landscapes with 5-part palmate leaflets.The root system must be killed for permanent control which is why systemic herbicides are recommended for control and multiple applications may be needed to kill the woody root system. Poison ivy grows from woody rhizomes – spreading underground roots – making control more difficult. Birds and other wildlife eat the berries and spread seeds in their droppings. In fall, poison ivy foliage turns a beautiful red, orange or yellow making plants easy to spot.Ĭlusters of small cream to yellow-green flowers later develop into greenish-white berries, about the size of small currants. Their medium to dark green leaves are also quite variable in shape and may have smooth, scalloped or notched teeth on the edges. Vines become quite thick and woody, with many hair-like dark brown aerial roots attaching the vine to the tree or other structure. Poison ivy plants appear in several forms, including 1) small individual shoots in grass or other undergrowth, 2) low growing shrubs or 3) woody vines growing up trees. So, you’re looking for plants with clusters of three leaflets together - two side leaflets and a slightly larger leaflet at the tip. “Leaves of three…” is not technically accurate because poison ivy plants, Toxicodendron radicans, have compound leaves and each individual leaf is made up of three smaller parts or leaflets. Sensitivity to urushiol builds up over time, making a once “immune” person susceptible. The rash can appear within hours of exposure or up to several days later. All parts of a poison ivy plant – leaves, stems, roots, fruits – contain an oil called urushiol which causes an allergic reaction and rash. While poison ivy can certainly be avoided if you know what you’re looking for, it's best to try to eliminate the problem in case those who aren’t as well informed find themselves in close proximity to the vine.“Leaves of three, let it be!” Remember this rule of thumb to protect yourself from an itchy poison ivy rash this summer! Plants look innocent enough at this point in the season, but handling them is a mistake. “They are attached to petioles (leaf stalks) that are red in color and may be hairy on older plants.” Kauffman also notes oblong leaflets with smooth margins that sometimes have a notch or lobe on one side can also provide useful for identifying the plant.
“Poison Ivy is probably best identified by its trifoliate leaves, which are a compound leaf made of three leaflets (hence, the old rhyme ‘leaves of three, let it be’),” explains Kauffman.
He holds a PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Tennessee and a BS in Turf and Landscape Horticulture and an MS in Horticulture from the University of Arkansas. John M Kauffman, Ph.D., Region Technical Manager at TruGreen, is a research scientist with in depth knowledge of weed control and turfgrass nutrition technology.
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