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Marcus, Joseph A. (Austin, TX)

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub , Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Margin: Dentate
Breeding System: Monoecious
Size Notes: 6 to 18 inches on forest floor, climbing vine, or bush.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Length: 1/4 inch diameter.
Fruit Color: Amber

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: 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 , Shade
Conditions 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
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Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: 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 the trees without the thorns. Is there a safe way to remove the bramble without harming the shallow roots of the trees, and are there any grasses or groundcovers that we could plant once the bramble is removed?
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX

Bibliography

Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina (1994) Vondracek, W. ; L. Van Asch

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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 page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Toxicodendron radicans in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Toxicodendron radicans in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Toxicodendron radicans

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: NPC

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