Picture Of Poison Ivy

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

What Does Poison Ivy Look Like?

Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years.

Updated on August 17, 2022

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans or Toxicodendron rydbergii) and its cousins, poison oak and poison sumac, grow widely throughout North America. While not truly poisonous, they all cause a painful, itchy rash upon contact due to the oil (called urushiol) in their leaves, stems, and roots. Learning to identify poison ivy and the rash it causes can help with both treatment and prevention.

Poison Ivy Rash

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Vincent Iannelli, MD

The urushiol in poison ivy, oak, and sumac remains in the roots, stems, and leaves of the plant whether it’s alive, dried up, or dead, so you can get a poison ivy rash even in the winter.

If you think you have touched poison ivy, immediately wash your skin and clothes with soap and cool water or a poison ivy cleanser to:

Remove as much urushiol as possible
Lessen the severity of the rash
Prevent the oil from spreading on your body or around your home

Poison ivy plants should never be burned because the vapors can carry urushiol through the air and cause dangerous inflammation of the airway if they are inhaled.

Symptoms

Symptoms of poison ivy rash develop anywhere from 1 to 7 days after exposure, depending on how much urushiol is present, the skin’s thickness, and how sensitive the person is.

A poison ivy rash has the following features:

Itching
Painful blisters or vesicles filled with fluid
Red bumps that appear in straight lines or streaks
Swelling

The symptoms of poison ivy rash can worsen over the days following contact. The rash tends to take longer to appear on areas with thicker skin, such as elbows and knees.

Although it may be difficult (especially for children), try not to scratch the affected areas, as this can cause infections to develop. However, it is a myth that scratching and/or open blisters can spread the rash to different areas of the body or to other people.

Remedies

There is no cure for poison ivy rash other than time. Poison ivy rash generally takes about 7-10 days to resolve.

However, there are home remedies that can help relieve the symptoms and encourage healing. While the rash can be painful and irritating, it does not generally require medical treatment. Some home remedies to try:

Over-the-counter (OTC) cortisone: Topical steroid creams and gels can lessen inflammation and help heal poison ivy rash faster.
Anti-itch creams: A variety of creams and lotions can help soothe the itchiness of the rash, such as Calamine Lotion, Caladryl Clear Topical Analgesic Skin Lotion, and Aveeno Anti-Itch Cream.
Cool compresses: Apply cool, wet compresses to the itchy areas for 15 to 30 minutes several times a day.
Cool oatmeal baths: Cool or lukewarm oatmeal baths can help relieve the itchiness and provide relief while the rash heals.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While poison ivy rash can usually be treated at home, you should seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of these severe symptoms:

Fever
Shortness of breath
Swelling, especially on the face
Trouble swallowing

You should also seek medical attention if the rash is on your face, genitals, or a large area of your body. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or corticosteroids to speed the healing process.

What Does Poison Ivy Look Like?

Vincent Iannelli, MD

Although poison ivy isn’t the only plant with leaves that grow in clusters of three, the adage “leaves of three, leave them be” is a smart way to avoid coming into contact with it. Learning how to identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac by several characteristics will help ensure that you know exactly which plants to avoid.

There are two types of poison ivy in the United States: eastern and western. The western type is a low-growing shrub that is typically under 3 feet tall. Eastern poison ivy is a vine that can grow quite long, either along the ground or as a fuzzy root-covered vine climbing up tree trunks.

Leaves: Both eastern and western poison ivy have green, 2- to 4-inch-long leaves that grow in groups of three. Young plants may display reddish, droopy leaves. Mature poison ivy leaves are smooth, either glossy or dull, and turn bright red and yellow in the fall. The leaf edges can be lobed or smooth.
Flowers and berries: In the spring, small yellow flowers bloom close to the vine of the plant. Later in the summer, the blossoms are replaced by light green, gray, or white berries.
Roots and stems: Poison ivy stems are thornless. They will root where they make contact with the ground, which makes the plant difficult to kill because pieces of the stem and roots can grow into new plants.

The University of Massachusetts Extension Weed Herbarium offers pictures of various parts of the poison ivy plant to help with identification.

Where It’s Located

Poison ivy grows throughout the United States with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii, the rainforests of Washington state, and some arid deserts of the west. It can be found in forests and wetlands, on beaches, along streams, and even in urban parks and yards.

Poison ivy thrives in partial shade, so it’s more common along the edge of forests and trails than in completely shaded areas or sunny spots.

However, it’s smart to keep an eye out even in the deep woods, as this plant is able to grow in a wide range of conditions.

The two types of poison ivy do have slightly different geographic ranges:

Eastern poison ivy: As its name suggests, eastern poison ivy is native to New England and grows prolifically in the eastern parts of North America, though it can be found as far west as Arizona.
Western poison ivy: The term “western” is somewhat misleading, as western poison ivy grows all over the U.S. It is found across the western states, the Great Plains, and in the northeast.

Other Forms to Watch for

Poison oak and sumac are in the same genus as poison ivy (Toxicodendron) and contain the same skin irritant, urushiol. While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are differences in appearance between poison ivy, oak, and sumac.

What Does Poison Oak Look Like?

Poison oak has three leaflets like poison ivy, but its leaves have rounded edges (similar to oak leaves). Their undersides are fuzzy and are generally lighter green than poison ivy.

The plant is also more shrub-like without the long vining stems that poison ivy often displays. Poison oak grows mostly west of the Rocky Mountains.

What Does Poison Sumac Look Like?

Poison sumac has more than three leaves. In fact, it can have seven to 13 smooth leaflets arranged in pairs along a slender stem. It looks like a shrub or small tree that can reach a height of 25 feet. In the fall, poison sumac has red stems with orange-red leaves.

This plant is most common in the southeastern United States, although it can also be found in the Great Lakes region and in the northeast.

Tips for Avoiding

Because the slightest contact with poison ivy can cause a rash, protect yourself and your family by taking precautions when you are outdoors:

Wear the right clothing: When spending time in areas where poison ivy thrives, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and boots with tall socks.
Wear gloves: If working in an area where you might come into contact with poison ivy, wear gloves and be sure they are long enough to cover the ends of your shirt sleeves, and do not touch your face or any other exposed areas.
Choose the correct footwear: Boots are best if you’re hiking because they will protect your ankles and feet. Always wear closed-toe shoes anywhere poison ivy might be growing.
Avoid areas where poison ivy is common: Stick to the middle of paths and trails, avoiding shortcuts through the woods.
Know what to look for: Learn the identifying features of all three plants, and teach your kids how to spot them, too.
Change clothes and clean equipment afterward: Because touching clothing, pets, or other materials that came into contact with the plant can transfer the irritating oils to your skin, wash everything with water and soap (including pets) after any possible exposure.
Use a poison ivy skin cleanser: If you know you have touched poison ivy, using a product such as Tecnu Extreme (which combines an exfoliant with a cleanser to remove the urushiol) can help reduce your chances of developing a rash.
Use protective lotion: Bentoquatam lotion (sold as Ivy Block) can prevent poison ivy rashes by protecting your skin from the plant’s oils. Apply it 15 minutes before possible exposure to the plant, and then every 4 hours afterward. Ask your doctor before using on children under the age of 6.

Bentoquatam cannot be used as a treatment for an existing rash; it is only a preventative measure.

A Word From Verywell

Even if you can identify poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac, it’s possible to bump into it accidentally or get a rash through contact with the oils on pets or clothes. If you start developing a rash, be sure to administer home remedies or OTC treatments as soon as possible to relieve your symptoms. You can also call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S. Forest Service. Welcome to the Forest Service: A guide for volunteers.
Des Moines University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Everything you need to know about poison ivy.
American Academy of Dermatology. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac.
University of Massachusetts Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment. Poison ivy.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. Poison ivy, oak, and sumac: how to treat the rash.
Rocky Mountain Research Station; Fire Sciences Laboratory. Toxicodendron radicans, T. rydbergii.
Army Public Health Center. Poison Sumac Fact Sheet.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. Bentoquatam topical.

By Vincent Iannelli, MD
Vincent Iannelli, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Iannelli has cared for children for more than 20 years.

Poison Ivy Pictures: How to Identify It

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

Updated on 10/17/22
Reviewed by

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia’s Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming.

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a noxious weed commonly found in home landscapes, along roadsides, in forests, and even in urban areas in North America. Its toxicity is based on an active irritant called urushiol, an oily resin in all plants’ parts. Pets are less likely to be troubled by poison ivy but are occasionally affected by it.

The scientific name of the plant is Toxicodendron radicans. Knowing the old rhyme of “Leaves of three, let it be” may be the easiest way to tell if it might be poison ivy, but you need more information to be positive. These photos will allow you to identify the plant, both with and without leaves and at various stages of maturity.

8 Facts About Poison Ivy

While the leaves are the most toxic part of the plant, contact with any part (even when the plant is bare of foliage) can be toxic to you. Even if your cat or dog comes in contact with the plant, the animal can spread it to you. That is why it is essential to learn how to tell what poison ivy looks like throughout the growing season and beyond. This leaf close-up shows plants less than a foot high but already put on their green summer color.

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Where Poison Ivy Grows

Poison ivy is native to the eastern United States and eastern Canada; therefore, by definition, it can’t be considered invasive there, even though it spreads aggressively even in that region. But it could be invasive in regions to which it has been introduced. Poison ivy is not fussy about sun and soil conditions, which is one reason why it is such a successful weed.

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is commonly mistaken for poison ivy since it’s another vine that often grows in the same places. The difference between Virginia creeper and poison ivy is that it often grows in groupings of five leaflets. Similarly, both plants have a reddish center where the leaflets join. Also, Virginia creeper vines are much less hairy than poison ivy vines.

At first glance, box elder (Acer negundo) seedlings grow as three leaflets, which can look like poison ivy. The significant difference is box elder leaves, however, are arranged opposite each other, not alternating like poison ivy.

How to Identify Poison Ivy

Leaves of Young Plants

The Spruce / David Beaulieu Young poison ivy plants often start in spring with orange or reddish leaves. Be aware that the margins of the leaves sometimes have notches in them (but not always, so this feature, in and of itself, is not enough to identify the weed). The plants here are just barely off the ground, but the oil (urushiol, which makes this plant toxic) can still rub off on the fabric of shoes and socks. It is possible to transfer the oil from your clothes to your skin, so be careful removing the garment if you think it came into contact with poison ivy.

Mature Plants

The Spruce / David Beaulieu As summer progresses and poison ivy plants mature, most of the leaves are green and about two feet high. Any new leaves that appear will still be reddish, as in spring (but the red color will not be as intense). Poison ivy vines often grow in a mass, taking over an area and becoming the dominant plant.

Flower Buds

The Spruce / David Beaulieu People seldom associate something as nasty as poison ivy with flowers, but it blooms. The blossoms are not especially attractive. The flower buds, which form in clusters, look like tiny specks of green if you are just glancing quickly at the plant.

Flowers

The Spruce / David Beaulieu Poison ivy produces relatively small, unremarkable off-white blossoms with orange centers. Unopened buds that are close to opening are also off-white. You will sometimes see a plant with both opened and unopened flower buds simultaneously (as in this example). Walking quickly past a patch of poison ivy plants in bloom, you would hardly notice the individual blossoms.

Continue to 5 of 9 below.

Berries

The Spruce / David Beaulieu Poison ivy plants also grow berries, which are just as toxic as the rest of the plants. An identifying trait of poison ivy is the color of its mature berries. They turn from a pale green to a whitish color when they ripen (in late summer to early fall). Poison sumac also has a curious white berry.

Fall Foliage: Orange

The Spruce / David Beaulieu The green summer color of poison ivy’s foliage yields brilliant fall foliage in red, yellow, or orange. The autumn brilliance of poison ivy’s foliage is due to the anthocyanin pigments characteristic of the plant family to which poison ivy belongs. Poison oak and poison sumac turn similarly colorful shades in fall. All three plants are members of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). The color in autumn is as breathtaking as it is on any of the trees grown for their colorful fall foliage.

Fall Foliage: Red

The Spruce / David Beaulieu If poison ivy sprouts in the spring with red leaves, they often display reddish fall foliage. In this regard, poison ivy is a lot like red maple trees that show red buds in spring that are a preview of their gorgeous red fall foliage.

Aerial Roots

The Spruce / David Beaulieu You may have seen hairy vines climbing up trees or bristling along the tops of logs resting on the forest floor. The “hairs” are the vines’ aerial rootlets. That is what poison ivy looks like in winter after the old leaves have fallen off and before spring’s new leaves can take their place. Rootlets are why trees, tree stumps, and stone walls are covered in vines. Rootlets can cling to surfaces, allowing the vines to climb. When poison ivy has been climbing a tree for a long time, the vine can become so embedded into its bark that it essentially disappears, with only the rootlets visible.

Continue to 9 of 9 below.

The Vines Can Damage Clapboard

The Spruce / David Beaulieu Winter’s “hairy” vines are as toxic as the rest of the plant during other seasons. Poison ivy vines can climb up the walls of buildings. If they are allowed to climb up the side of a house, garage, barn, or outdoor storage shed sided with clapboards, they can wreak havoc with the clapboards over time, necessitating repair work.

How to Remove Poison Ivy

You should remove poison ivy from your property, so you don’t accidentally make contact with it while gardening. It is possible to eradicate poison ivy safely, whether organically (manually) or with herbicides, but you must take extreme precautions, which might take several attempts.

When working around poison ivy, it’s essential to wear gloves (wash the gloves and your clothes separately afterward from your other laundry) so that any residue you came in contact with isn’t transmitted to your food, face, pets, other people, or any other surfaces.

Identifying Poison Ivy vs. Poison Oak vs. Poison Sumac

Poison ivy and poison oak are more alike than poison sumac. They each look like they have three leaves per stem. Each leaf (or, in this case, leaflet) is 2 to 8 inches long and 1 to 5 inches wide. They have teeth along the edges of the leaf. The difference with poison oak is the teeth appear rounded, more like a rounded or bulbous common oak leaf; meanwhile, poison ivy teeth edges appear more pointy. Also, for poison ivy and oak, the juncture where the leaflet joins at the stem is often reddish.

The growth habits of poison ivy and oak are different. Poison ivy grows like a vine along the ground or up the sides of trees or structures. Poison oak grows like a shrub with leaves atop longer, upright stems. Like poison oak, poison sumac grows like a shrub or small tree. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and is often found in wooded, swampy locations.

A similarity poison sumac has to poison ivy or oak is its stems are red—more than poison ivy and oak. Also, they all produce white berries. Beyond that, poison sumac leaves look very different. Each leaflet is oblong with sharp, pointed tips and smooth edges. The leaflets do not group in threes. Instead, you can expect to see seven to 15 leaflets lined up in pairs; each leaf is about 2 to 4 inches long and 3⁄4 to 2 inches wide.

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Toxicodendron Radicans. Missouri Botanical Garden

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Picture Of Poison Ivy

What Does Poison Ivy Look Like?