| The Poison Ivy plant is a relative to many other familiar | | | | The leaves and plant tends to vary in sizes and the |
| poisonous plants. Poison oak and poison sumac are | | | | texture also differs, but still can be easily recognized. |
| cousins to the poison ivy plant, it's also said that the | | | | When emerging in spring the leaves are usually reddish |
| cashew plant is part of the family too. | | | | colored. By summer, they turn green. At some point |
| Poison ivy actually isn't ivy at all, it's a wood vine that | | | | the poison Ivy leaves also turn a purple color. Shades |
| appears to look like ivy. In certain regions of the U.S. | | | | of yellow, orange, and red occur in the fall, causing this |
| there is a type of poison ivy that resembles a shrub. | | | | plant to appear beautiful shades, but remember, |
| However, this is a harmful plant that you should stay | | | | "leaves of three, leave them be." |
| away from. Have you ever heard the expression | | | | Oil that is found in the Poison Ivy plant is called urushiol |
| "leaves of three, leave them be"? It is wise advice to | | | | oil. The allergic reaction, itchy skin, and painful blisters is |
| follow when you're outdoors. | | | | a result when coming into contact with the poisonous |
| Three pointed leaflets with berries in the middle is what | | | | plant. If the oil isn't washed off the skin instantly, you |
| the plant consists of. The leaves are long-stalked, the | | | | can spread the rash even worse. Touching the |
| middle leaf being biggest of the three. Close to where | | | | contaminated part then another part of your body can |
| the leaf joins the stem, small yellowish flowers grow. | | | | spread the oil throughout your skin, causing a painful |
| These flowers later on turn into a cluster of berries, | | | | reaction to the poisonous oil. |
| the berries appear to be white colored and are also | | | | Usually, the poison Ivy plant is located in southern |
| poisonous for human consumption. This plant isn't | | | | Canada, and in most parts of the United States, |
| always harmful. Different types of animals such as | | | | except the west coast. Primarily, poison oak is the |
| deer feed from the berries on poison ivy. Many | | | | plant that derives from the West Coast. These two |
| species of birds see the berries to be a delicacy. | | | | poisonous plants are relatives and tend to look similar, |
| Poison ivy usually flowers from mid-spring to | | | | so often times they become confused. Normally, the |
| mid-summer. The berries appear any time from | | | | same symptoms occur with the both of these plants. |
| mid-summer to fall. | | | | |