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Three Parts:Identifying Features of the PlantsSpotting Poison Ivy and Oak When Out and AboutTricky Things to Be Aware Of

Poison ivy (Rhus radicans), is found in most of North America. A related plant, poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), is found in both Eastern and Western North America. Both plants contain urushiol oil, and over half of the population of the United States is allergic to this oil. The oil can be transferred by contact or inhalation through smoke when such plants are burned. By learning how to identify the plant, you can avoid coming into contact with it.


Part 1 of 3: Identifying Features of the Plants

  1. Identify Poison Ivy Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    Look for the vine with clusters of three leaves, that can, also, grow as a bush or single plant. Poison ivy and poison oak can be found everywhere––the woods, fields, your own backyard, vacant lots, all depending on where you're living. In particular, these plants seem to have fondness for growing along fences and stone walls and they like the sheltered edges of forests, fields and sunny areas.
    • If growing in rocky places, it tends to take over from all other vegetation. If growing near something like a tree or a fence, it will twine itself around the object as it grows, creating a dense mass of vegetation which cannot be crossed.
  2. Identify Poison Ivy Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    Read about descriptions: "Leaves of three? Let them be!" or ""One, two, three? Don't touch me."", as these plants have a cluster of three leaves at the end of a long stem. More identifying indicators of leaves include:
    • Look for three leaflets connected closely together on each stem.
    • The leaflets are broad, and the two lateral (side) leaflets are smaller than the terminal (end or middle) leaf.
    • The center leaf usually (almost always) has a small stem, wheres the two side leaves grow directly from the vine and do not have small stems.
    • The leaves tend to be a bright to dark, waxy green when viewed from above. When viewed from underneath, they appear lighter and fuzzier. In spring, the leaves are usually a bright green, while in fall, they turn red (poison ivy) or bright red or orange (poison oak).
    • However, while these leaves usually appear shiny, they won't always. In particular, do not rely on shininess as an indicator after it has rained recently.
    • "Hairy vine, no friend of mine.", and also:[1]
      • "Longer middle stem; stay away from them." -- the middle leaflet has a long stem while the two side leaflets attach almost directly.
      • "Ragged rope, don't be a dope!" Poison ivy vines on trees have a furry, "raggy" or ragged appearance.
      • "Berries white, run in fright" and "Berries white, danger in sight."
      • "Red leaflets in the spring, it's a dangerous thing." -- new leaflets sometimes are red in the spring. Later, in the summer, the leaflets are green -- while in autumn they can be reddish-orange.
      • "Side leaflets like mittens, will itch like the dickens." This refers to the shape of some poison ivy leaves, where each of the two side leaflets has a notch that makes the leaflet look like a mitten with a "thumb." (Caution: all parts of the plant can cause itching, not just these leaves.)
  3. Identify Poison Ivy Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    Check for fruit. If either plant has berries, these will appear as follows:
    • Translucent for both plants
    • Poison oak fruit tends to be hairy
    • Poison ivy berries are white or cream-colored
    • The fruit tends to stay on the plants all through winter and spring.
  4. Identify Poison Ivy Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    Be aware that even when poison oak or ivy changes color, it is still harmful. Despite the color change, the urushiol oil still stays on the leaves.

Part 2 of 3: Spotting Poison Ivy and Oak When Out and About

  1. Identify Poison Ivy Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    Inspect vines before touching, brushing against them or walking through them. When growing as a vine, poison ivy can snake its way along trees. When it grows like this, it is tons of little poison ivy plants growing out of a vine. Always inspect a vine if you need to go near it, and see if it has plants growing out of it.
  2. Identify Poison Ivy Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    Remain vigilant even during the winter months. Poison oak drops its leaves in winter, and all you see is a bare stem of a vine hanging down. This can also give you a rash. Don't touch any plant you can't identify!

Part 3 of 3: Tricky Things to Be Aware Of

  1. Identify Poison Ivy Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    Avoid confusing poison oak with other plants. Some other plants have two or three similar-looking leaves. Such other plants may have spines on the leaf tips (holly or Mahonia) or thorns on the stems (blackberry).
    • If you see a plant that has all the characteristics, but have regular, uniformly shaped leaves, or sharp tips on the edges, it's not likely to be poison ivy. Poison ivy has tips that are more randomly spaced and somewhat curved between the tips along the edges.
  2. Identify Poison Ivy Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    Don't be fooled by animals eating any questionable plant: that is not an indicator of safety for humans. Toxic plants are not poisonous to all creatures. Deer and other grazing animals may happily eat poison ivy.

Add your own method


  • Teach children from when they can walk not to touch unidentified plants. This is part of going into nature. This is especially true in winter when plants don't have identifying leaves.
  • Once you break out, keep the rash as uncovered as you can. The air seems to hasten healing.
  • Watch for a rash two to three days after possible exposure and begin treatment immediately. See How to treat poison ivy and poison oak for treatment options.
  • Change your shoe/boot laces once exposed to poison ivy. The oil can remain on the laces, allowing you to keep reinfecting yourself.
  • Watch when dogs go off leash. Humans are not the only ones that are allergic to the oil on the poison ivy leaves, and you might not notice a difference on your dog's skin hidden by fur: check on the bare abdomen. Also, be careful, when you pet your dog or you could get the oil on your skin, also. Wash your dog thoroughly, if you think there may have been an exposure. To prevent any such worries, keep your dog on leash when in the woods or vined places, as you should anyway, on any public trail, out of respect for other hikers!
  • Learn to identify these plants if you're allergic. Severe allergies can cause great harm. Bring a picture along until you can spot it immediately.
  • Go home and wash all exposed skin carefully after a hike. Wash your hands first before rubbing them all over your body. Use warm water and soap. Normal bar soap will not work. You may use a kitchen dish washing liquid detergent as a degreaser, applied undiluted, and then rinse it off completely to remove the poison ivy's oil.
  • Bring Technu or other specialized soap with you and apply it immediately upon exposure.
  • A bad reaction and getting yourself contaminated is also possible with outdoor cats.
  • These plants are also found in Bermuda and the Bahamas.


  • Never burn poison ivy as a method to get rid of it. The oil on the leaves will burn, and if you breathe in the fumes, chances are you'll get it in your throat or lungs, which will make breathing extremely painful.
  • Poison ivy can be embedded in the Virginia creeper, so never just go rolling around in the Virginia creeper, or there might still be serious consequences. And be aware that it's easy to confuse poison ivy with the Virginia creeper. Even though the Virginia creeper has five leaves, it's still easily mistaken for poison ivy (or vice versa).

Things You'll Need

  • Photos or images to carry with you to aid identification––use your smartphone or similar device for easy photo retrieval
  • First aid treatments for poison plant rashes especially when walking in nature, hiking or camping
  • Degreaser, such as dish-washing detergent not diluted, or a specialized soap for poison plants (not ordinary soap)

Sources and Citations

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