Explore Plants
Native Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Marcus, Joseph A.
Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze
Eastern poison ivy, Poison ivy, Poison oak
Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)
Synonyms: Rhus toxicodendron
USDA Symbol: TORA2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Upright, climbing, or trailing shrub that bears small yellowish-white flower clusters; old stems, covered with fibrous roots, look hairy. Poison Ivy is extremely variable in form, occurring as a ground cover along roadsides, an erect shrub (especially in sandy coastal areas), or a large vine on trees. Red fall foliage is especially conspicuous.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub , Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Margin: Dentate
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Size Notes: 6 to 18 inches on forest floor, climbing vine, or bush.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Amber 1/4 inch diameter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , BrownBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: AB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Throughout the East; Ontario east to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to South Dakota and Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Dry to Moist areas Woodland to Streambed
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade , ShadeConditions Comments: Beautiful Orange to Deep Red Fall Color
Benefit
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts, in all seasons if plant sap contacted. Severe skin irritation upon contact. Symptoms include severe skin redness, itching, swelling, and blisters following direct or indirect contact. Toxic Principle: Urushiol.Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Deer Resistant: High
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Removal of bramble under live oaks and replacing with groundcover
September 26, 2007
We have several large live oaks on the front of our 12 acre property in Hockley, Texas. Under and around each oak is an extensive amount of bramble which we would like to remove so that we can enjoy ...
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.Bibref 663 - Poisonous Plants of North Carolina (1994) Vondracek, W. ; L. Van Asch
Search More Titles in Bibliography
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1985 VOL. 2, NO.3 - Greenhouse Assists Research, Wild color on the Hills, Director's Report, Clearin...
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Toxicodendron radicans in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Toxicodendron radicans in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Toxicodendron radicans
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: NPC
