Poison ivy is a plant that can grow as a vine, shrub, or ground cover and is known for its distinctive leaves, which always come in groups of three leaflets-this is captured in the common phrase, "leaves of three, let them be." Each leaf cluster has three broad, tear-shaped leaflets, with the central leaflet having a longer stalk than the two side leaflets
. The edges of the leaflets can be smooth or have a few large jagged teeth, and the leaves can vary in color depending on the season: they often appear reddish in spring, green in summer, and turn yellow, orange, or red in the fall
. The plant's vine form is notable for its "hairy" appearance due to small rootlets that help it cling to surfaces
. Additional identifying features include:
- Stems that may have a reddish tint and can be hairy
- Small clusters of greenish-white berries in summer and fall, which can persist into winter
- Leaves that are glossy or sometimes dull depending on the season
Poison ivy can be confused with other plants like Virginia creeper (which has five leaflets) or boxelder saplings (which have opposite leaf arrangements), but the three-leaflet arrangement and hairy vines are key distinguishing traits
. In summary, poison ivy looks like a plant with:
- Groups of three leaflets per leaf cluster,
- Leaflets that are broad and tear-shaped with smooth or slightly toothed edges,
- Seasonal color changes from red to green to yellow/orange/red,
- Hairy vines if it is climbing,
- Possible presence of white or greenish berries in clusters
