Common Poison Ivy

Common name: Common Poison Ivy

Scientific name: Toxicodendron radicans

Dimensions:
  Flower: 1/8" (3 mm) wide in clusters 1-3" (2.5-7.5 cm)
  Plant height: 1-4' (30-120 cm), but climbing vines may be much higher

Blooming period: May-July

Habitat: Open woods, thickets, roadsides, weedy places, fences, stonewalls

Description: Small greenish or yellowish flowers in branching clusters from the leaf axils of this upright, trailing or climbing plant. Leaves compound, divided into 3 shiny or dull-green leaflets, mostly flat, 2-6" (5-15 cm) long, egg-shaped (ovate) to elliptic, un-toothed or with a few irregular pointed teeth or shallow lobes. All parts of this plant can be poisonous to the touch in all seasons due to the oil irritant the plant produces. Ironically the plant's fruit is eaten by many songbirds and game birds with no ill effect. Cashew family. (June 10)