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Wild Forage

Poison ivy

Toxicodendron radicans

Common vine, shrub or groundcover with urushiol oil that causes rash. Present year-round, even as bare vines.

Poison ivy: Bark. Hairy climbing vine on a tree trunk
BarkHairy climbing vine on a tree trunkPhoto: Lynn Harper · CC0 · source
Poison ivy: Leaf
LeafPhoto: Harold Smith · CC BY · source
Poison ivy: Leaf
LeafPhoto: John Brown · CC0 · source
Poison ivy: Whole plant
Whole plantPhoto: Ogonslav Firewind · CC0 · source
Poison ivy: Leaf
LeafPhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · source
Poison ivy: Habitat
HabitatPhoto: botanygirl · CC BY · source

Key features

  • Three leaflets per leaf; the middle leaflet has a longer stalk than the side leaflets
  • Leaves alternate along the stem; edges range from smooth to toothed or lobed
  • Climbing vine with dense hairy aerial rootlets, or a low shrub or groundcover
  • Small whitish berries in fall

What it gets mistaken for

  • Virginia creeperHarmless

    Usually five leaflets fanned from one point.

  • Boxelder seedlingHarmless

    Leaves and stems are opposite; poison ivy alternates.

  • Blackberry / raspberryHarmless

    Thorny stems and evenly toothed leaflets.

    See the card →

Warnings

  • Urushiol persists on dead vines, tools, boots and pet fur. Never burn it.

In season

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November

Red-tinged leaves in spring; red and orange in fall.

Habitat

Woods, fencerows, trail edges, trees, disturbed ground.

Educational reference only. Never eat a wild plant or mushroom based on a website or app. Confirm with an experienced forager, your local extension office, or a mycological club. Poison Control (US): 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for severe symptoms.