Four things that hold true across every form of the plant.
Poison ivy changes form, size, and color depending on where it grows and what time of year it is. These four attributes stay consistent regardless. When in doubt, text us a photo and we'll tell you for free.
Leaves in threes, always
Leaf size ranges from half an inch to six inches, but the arrangement never changes: the leaves always come in threes. Almond-shaped, often glossy on top. The center leaflet has a longer stem than the two on either side, and the two side leaflets usually have a thumb-like bump on their outer edge, almost like a mitten. This one rule holds across every form, every season, every environment. When in doubt, don't touch it.
Many forms, one plant
Poison ivy adapts well to its environment. It can creep along the ground as a vine, climb trees thirty feet or more, or grow as a dense shrub-like clump. A young plant on the ground looks nothing like a mature vine on an oak trunk. The form changes. The hazard does not.
Color changes every season
Scarlet and shiny in early spring, then it loses the shine and turns a matte green through summer. Yellow, orange, red, and scarlet again in fall. Bare and leafless in winter, but still toxic. Urushiol isn't just in the leaves; it's in every part of the plant, including the vine and roots, and it can cause a reaction year-round, even after the leaves have dropped.
The oil stays active for months
Urushiol clings to tools, gloves, shoes, clothing, and pet fur long after contact. It stays active for months. Every surface the plant touched is a risk until properly cleaned. Burning is the most dangerous form of exposure. Inhaled urushiol affects the lungs directly.
The leaves can be lime green, shiny green, dull green, yellow, orange, red and scarlet.
⚠ All parts of the plant (leaves, stems, roots, berries, and bare winter vines) contain urushiol. Burning is the most dangerous form of exposure.