Poison Ivy and Oak Identification
Poison Ivy changes colors with the seasons just like regular leaves do. In the spring, poison ivy sprouts as a
bright, shiny red plant in clusters of three.
Poison ivy grows in a hairy vine with leaves that grow in clusters of three and the leaves are always fatter at the
bottom of the leaf.
Poison Ivy during
the spring. (Sachs)
As poison ivy grows it turns greener and greener as time goes on and the
season changes to summer. The leaves will get bigger but keep its main shape;
sometimes the two opposite leaves will look slightly edged though.
Poison Ivy in the summer and shapes
of the leaves on poison Ivy (Manhart)
Poison Ivy also blooms with flowers that grow in
clusters and that are green/white. These flowers then
give way to berries that are white/grey.
Berries of Poison
Ivy (Manhart)
Poison Ivy in the fall
(Williamson)
Berries of poison ivy in
winter (Evans)
Poison oak is pretty different from poison ivy but can have the same
affect. They both contain urushiol, the oil contained within the plant
that causes skin irritation. Poison oak is different because it doesn’t
climb like poison ivy does and because the leaves are lobed and
have a very different shape. Poison oak is also red when it first
appears in the spring.
Lobed Leaves of
Poison Oak during
early spring (Morse)
Poison Oak during the summer
(Poison Oak)
Urushiol is very hardy oil that is found both in Poison Ivy and
poison oak. The chemical can stay on surfaces for a long time,
surfaces can include: dogs, cats, doorknobs, clothes, backpacks, etc
Poison Ivy rash on
(Ohio). Burning the plants is also a terrible idea because the
chemical can then become airborne and get onto skin or even in
the leg (Rash)
lungs (Ohio). Since this chemical is oil, it can’t be washed off with
soap. Soap is an oily substance too, so when oil meets oil they
combine and do not wash off. A poison ivy/oak rash can occur in as
little as ten minutes and should immediately be rinsed with rubbing
alcohol to break the skin barrier (Ohio). Then the skin should be
washed with warm water, but make sure it’s running water because
if it’s running then some of it might wash away; a bath would be a bad idea because the chemical would wash
into the water and spread around.
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac
Name____________________________________
True or False? (Ohio, 1-5)
1. A warm bath is a good way to get urushiol off your skin.
T/F
2. The poison urushiol can stay on your clothes for years if clothes are not washed. T/F
3. Burning poisonous plants destroys the urushiol. T/F
4. Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean skin that has come into contact with a poisonous plant. T/F
5. Once urushiol touches your body, it can spread to other parts. T/F
6. Poison Ivy is red in the spring. T/F
7. Poison oak’s leaves are fatter at the bottom. T/F
8. Both Poison oak AND poison ivy change colors in the fall. T/F
All information presented here is credible and true. I have listed citation information below in case there is any
concern about the information. All citation for the pamphlet is located on the inner flap. I have used nothing but
domain ‘.edu’ and ‘.gov’ cites, most of the information comes from various colleges in the U.S. or state parks or
forest agencies. The citations also include image credibility.
Works Cited
Evans, Chris. "Berries of Poison Ivy in Winter." Clemson Cooperative Extension. Clemson, 2007. Web. 18 Apr.
2013. <http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/tyk/2007/tyk10.html>.
Manhart, James. Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/poison_ivy.htm>.
Morse, Keir. NPS Photo. National Park Service. U.S Department of the Interior, 2 Apr. 2013. Web. 18 Apr.
2013. <http://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/safety.htm>.
Ohio State University. Agricultural Safety Program, 2006. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. <http://ohioline.osu.edu/aexfact/192/pdf/0192_2_37.pdf>.
Poison Oak. Plant Species List. Portland Community College, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.pcc.edu/resources/rcesc/images/PoisonOak-Rhusdiversiloba.JPG>.
Rash of Poison Ivy. Phytophotodermatitis. Washington State Dept of Labor and Industries, n.d. Web. 18 Apr.
2013. <http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Dermatitis/EdMat/PhytoSlides/16to20/>.
Sachs, Johnathan. "Poison Ivy in Spring." Poison Ivy. Fairfax County Schools, 2002. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
<http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/poison_ivy.htm>.
Williamson, Joey. "Poison Ivy Showing Attractive Fall Color." Clemson Cooperative Extension. Clemson,
2007. Web. 18 Apr. 2013. <http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/tyk/2007/tyk10.html>.