Poison ivy

September 4, 2015

Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Ktze.

Life cycle

Perennial woody vine.

poison ivy plant
Poison ivy foliage.

Leaves

Alternate, compound with three shiny leaflets. Leaflet margins may be smooth, toothed or lobed. The side leaflets occur on very short stalks; the middle leaflet occurs on a much longer stalk. Leaves may turn bright red in the fall. Contact with any part of this plant can cause a reaction in sensitive people.

poison ivy leaf
Compound leaf of poison ivy.

Stems

Shrubby or climbing, woody vines are supported by aerial roots.

poison ivy aerial root
Poison ivy stem.

Flowers and fruit

Small, inconspicuous, yellow to green flowers have five petals. Fruit are gray to white berries (drupes).

poison ivy flower
Poison ivy flower.

Reproduction

Seeds, creeping roots and stems, which may root if in contact with the ground.

Print a PDF of this page: Poison Ivy

Back to identifying Christmas tree weeds.

Other Documents in this Series

You Might Also Be Interested In

Accessibility Questions:

For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.

Tag List
  • integrated pest management

About

Resources

Events

Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).