Buzz
The Poison Ivy tree, scientifically known as Toxicodendron vernix, is a plant native to the eastern United States and Canada. Most people experience painful allergic reactions upon contact with any part of the Poison Ivy tree, leading to red, itchy rashes or blisters. Learn to identify Poison Ivy by its distinct physical features and natural habitat to avoid this reaction.
Steps
Identifying the Poison Ivy Tree
Pay attention to sparse trees or shrubs. Poison Ivy typically grows as a shrub or a tree, reaching heights of 1.5 to 6 meters, sometimes taller. The branches may or may not have leaves growing along them, but regardless of the arrangement, the leaves of the Poison Ivy tree are relatively sparse rather than thick and dense.
Tip: Large Poison Ivy trees, similar to some other Poison Ivy species, often have long, slender branches that droop or hang down to the ground.
Look for trees with sharp leaves pointing upwards. Before fully growing into a tree or shrub, Poison Ivy may grow fairly straight with small branches and reddish stems running along the trunk. In this stage, the leaves and branches typically point sharply upwards, particularly near the top of the plant.
Check for compound leaves along each petiole. Poison Ivy has a pinnate leaf structure, meaning each petiole has two rows of leaves running parallel along its length. Each petiole usually has between 6 to 12 leaves, plus one at the tip. Young petioles are typically red or reddish-brown, but this color fades to brown or gray as the plant matures.
- Technically, these pinnate leaves are known as leaflets, but they look like ordinary leaves, typically around 5-10 cm long.
Identify the shape of Poison Ivy leaves. The leaves of this plant are oval or elongated, with pointed or tapered tips. The leaf surface may be smooth or wavy, but they do not have jagged edges like some non-poisonous Ivy species.
Learn about other characteristics of the leaves. Poison Ivy is deciduous, meaning its leaves change color throughout the year. New leaves in spring may appear orange, turning pale green in spring and summer, then transitioning to red in the fall before falling off completely. The underside of Poison Ivy leaves may be smooth or hairy at any point in the year, making it challenging to identify this way.
- Warning: Fallen leaves can still cause a reaction if touched. Never burn the leaves or gather firewood near Poison Ivy, as inhaling the smoke from Poison Ivy can be extremely dangerous, even fatal.
Identifying the flowers of Poison Ivy. Throughout spring and summer, Poison Ivy may produce small flowers that are either green or light yellow. These tiny flowers grow in clusters along the plant’s green stems, distinct from the red petioles of the leaves.
Recognizing the fruit of Poison Ivy. In summer or fall, Poison Ivy may produce small, yellow or green fruits instead of flowers. During fall and winter, these fruits will develop into clusters of white or gray berries, hanging down on long stems up to about 30 cm.
- If the fruit is red and other parts of the plant match the description above, it is likely a non-poisonous variety of Ivy in the same family.
- The fruit may be eaten by animals or naturally fall off in winter, so don’t assume that fruit will always be present on the plant.
Look for white fruit or fallen stems in winter. Poison Ivy remains toxic even after its leaves have fallen, making identification much harder. If you’re lucky, you may spot clusters of white or pale yellow fruit as a warning sign. However, during the early weeks of spring, you might encounter thin, bare stems on the branches, resembling light brown grapevines.
Avoid gray bark found in the habitat of Poison Ivy. Identifying the bark of Poison Ivy can be difficult once the plant’s leaves and fruit have fallen. Refer to the habitat of Poison Ivy below to learn where these plants might grow, and avoid any trees with gray, rough bark.
Recognizing the habitat of Poison Ivy
Know the areas where Poison Ivy might be present. Unlike related plants such as poison oak and poison sumac, Poison Ivy is found in a relatively small region on Earth. In Vietnam, Poison Ivy is commonly found in Phu Tho Province and other areas like Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan, and Thai Nguyen. In the United States, if you are outside the following regions, the likelihood of encountering Poison Ivy is almost nonexistent:
- Ontario, Quebec, and the eastern provinces of Canada
- Minnesota, Wisconsin, and all states to the east of them, including all of New England
- Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and all states to the east of them, including the entire South
- Texas, and all states to the east of it along the southern U.S. border, including Florida
Be cautious of Poison Ivy in wetlands and damp areas. Poison Ivy tends to thrive in wetland environments, including areas with stagnant water. It is less likely to grow in dry areas that remain arid throughout the year.
Tip: During the dry season, watch for dry riverbeds or cracked mud, as these areas often contain water.
You don’t need to worry about Poison Ivy if you’re at high altitudes. Poison Ivy struggles to grow above 1,200 meters in elevation. If you’re above 1,500 meters, the chances of encountering Poison Ivy are almost nonexistent.
- Relatives of Poison Ivy, such as poison oak and poison sumac, also tend to grow at lower elevations, which reduces the risk of exposure to these plants if you're at higher altitudes.
Treating exposure to Poison Ivy
Consider using a cloth soaked in alcohol immediately after contact with Poison Ivy. Rash or blisters may appear up to 48 hours after exposure, so don’t wait that long. If you know you’ve come into contact with Poison Ivy, apply rubbing alcohol to the affected skin area as soon as possible. However, urushiol, the toxin in Poison Ivy, does not completely dissolve in alcohol, so you may need to rub the alcohol-soaked cloth or other materials on the skin to reduce the amount of toxin.
- Warning: Alcohol may increase your exposure by stripping away the protective oils on your skin. Avoid areas with poisonous plants for 24 hours after applying alcohol, if possible.
- Wear disposable gloves when handling affected areas to prevent direct contact with the plant.
Tip: An alternative method is to use a surfactant to bind the oils before they penetrate the skin. Use Fels Naptha (a traditional yellow soap available at household stores) or Spic n Span cleaner to wash the exposed skin thoroughly, scrubbing and rinsing well. Repeat the process. Avoid touching clothing that has come into contact with Poison Ivy, as the oils can still be on the fabric and transfer to your skin.
Wash with cold water. Whether you apply alcohol or not, it’s important to wash the affected skin with plenty of cold water. Do not use warm water, as it will open the pores, making you more susceptible to exposure. You can also use soap, detergent, or specialized products like Tecnu, but remember to frequently rinse them off so they don’t dry out your skin along with the toxins.
Treat rashes with antihistamines or skin creams. If you develop a rash or blisters, you can take antihistamines to reduce itching. You can also apply calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, or take an oatmeal bath for relief.
- If large blisters are present and leaking fluid, you may need to visit a doctor for stronger prescribed medication.
- The fluid from blisters does not contain the toxin, so it will not spread the rash.
Seek medical attention for severe cases. If you suspect you have inhaled smoke from Poison Ivy, seek immediate medical attention, even if symptoms have not yet appeared. Other serious cases that require doctor care include: a rash on the face or genital area, rash that does not improve after a week, swollen eyes, or difficulty breathing.
Wash clothing and clean items that have come into contact with Poison Ivy. If the resin from Poison Ivy is left on clothing and objects, it may cause the rash to spread months or even years after the initial exposure. Wear disposable gloves and wash any items exposed to Poison Ivy with soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or diluted bleach. Place clothing in a disposable bag when transporting it, then wash thoroughly with soap and hot water.
Remove Poison Ivy plants.
Wait until the plant flowers. The best time of year to eradicate Poison Ivy is from May to June, or when the plant begins to flower. You should wait until this period to start removing the plant.
Wear protective clothing. Before you begin, make sure to cover every part of your body with clothing. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, closed-toe shoes, and gloves. This will help minimize your risk of exposure.
Tip: Do not wear rubber or latex gloves, as these materials cannot protect you from the toxins in Poison Ivy.
Apply a foliar herbicide. A herbicide like Roundup is a good option. Trim the plant or shrub to about 30 cm above the ground, then immediately spray the herbicide. Make sure to spray all parts of the plant, including the roots, branches, and leaves. You may need to repeat this process multiple times. Keep spraying until there's no sign of regrowth.
- Keep in mind that using herbicide on Poison Ivy could also harm other plants in the area.
Dispose of the plant remains. Once the Poison Ivy is dead, gather all parts of the plant, including fallen leaves, and place them in a trash bag. Dispose of the bag in a trash bin.
- Do not burn any part of the plant, as the smoke from Poison Ivy can irritate the lungs and cause a rash when it contacts the skin.
Advice
- The best way to prevent a rash from Poison Ivy is by wearing long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes when venturing outdoors.
- Urushiol, the allergen found in Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac, is most concentrated in Poison Ivy. Humans can develop a urushiol allergy over time, so don't assume you're safe if a rash doesn't appear immediately.
Warning
- Never burn any plant parts taken from areas where Poison Ivy grows. Inhaling the oil from Poison Ivy can severely damage the respiratory system and may even be fatal.
