What Does Poison Ivy Look Like?

Poison ivy is a member of the Anacardiaceae (Cashew) family of plants that are mainly found in tropical regions; the poison ivy is commonly observed in North America in various forma and hence is difficult to identify. It contains the oil Urushiol which causes an allergic reaction in some people.  

In most cases a poison ivy plant grows as a shrub and forms a knee high thicket. The leaves of the plant are compound; a leaflet is at the end of the stalk with two leaflets on its both sides.

Most people are able to identify poison ivy from their three leafed appearance; the leaves though are not the same in appearance in all cases though in most they are of medium size (about 8 cm) with serrated edges and of a dark green color which turns to red in fall. In open spaces and woodlands the poison ivy grows in the form of a tree that is commonly known as poison oak.

It can also grow in the form of vines on trees which have thin brown and hairy aerial roots. Poison ivy flowers are formed in small yellowish green clusters while the fruits are white and grape size and appear like miniature pumpkins.   

Shrub

It is a vine that is notorious for its ability to produce urushiol, a type of chemical that irritates the skin and causes rashes in skins for most people