Poison Ivy Leaves
Can you tell the difference between a Poison Ivy plant and impostors?
Let us help you identify the difference between dangerous plants and their safe counterparts!
Working and Playing Outdoors?
When the warmer months begin, so does the peak bloom of poison ivy. Right around the time when most people, especially children, long to spend their time outdoors, poison ivy is in full bloom. For those who love exploring the hiking trails, parks, and mountains during the spring and summer coming in contact with poisonous plants is unavoidable.
Poison Ivy in Suburbs and Cities
Even for those who prefer indoor activities, poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac plants can still be a risk. Poison ivy can grow in a multitude of locations including in the yards of suburbs and walkways to your favorite downtown restaurant. The hidden poison ivy culprits can easily brush against an exposed ankle or arm by accident and cause a blistering, painful rash on the skin.
Know-How to Identify Poisonous Plants
With our collection of poison ivy leaves images, you can arm yourself with the knowledge you need to stay safe! While the commonly followed rule of “leaves of three, leave it be,” still apply, there are some additional points of interest made evident in these poison ivy leaves images.
While poison ivy always has three leaves, these poison ivy leaves images are used to illustrate how, when determining a poisonous plant from a nonpoisonous plant, the shape of the leaves is an important consideration. There are many non-poisonous plants that have three leaves, as shown below, which may be confused with poison ivy but are actually harmless.
The Shape of Poison Ivy
Another factor illustrated in these images is that poison ivy leaves tend to be shaped differently than non-poisonous leaves, such as a larger base and a less oval shape.
While poison ivy leaves may change colors based on the season they will still keep their overall shape and the color is typically darker than other leaves.
Outdoor Joe's® (formerly Rhus Tox) Prevents Poison Ivy Rash
For extra protection against the painful rash associated with these poisonous plants, Outdoor Joe's® is a homeopathic solution capable of helping you build an reduce sensitivity to the effects of poison ivy and provide relief when used for treatment. Outdoor Joe's® is a safe remedy for all ages so you can protect the entire family!
Safe
Although it has leaves in threes, the middle leaf starts with a pinched shape, while poison ivy is fatter near the base. |
Safe
These leaves are just a bit too oval - poison ivy is usually fatter near the base of the leaf. |
|---|---|
Safe
This is Virginia Creeper, which grows in places close to poison ivy but it is friendly and safe. |
Poison Ivy!
This is Poison Ivy. It has 3 leaves in a group. The Virginia Creeper has 5 leaves. |
Poison Ivy!
Typical poison ivy in a suburban yard. |
Safe
Light green plant in front - Although it has leaves in threes it has a four-way symmetry. |
Poison Ivy!
Something in the local conditions and history of this plant makes some of its leaves quite narrow. (All the other leaves are also poison ivy!) You can tell it is poison ivy by its narrow leaves. |
Safe
Although it has leaves in threes they are somewhat heart-shaped. |
Safe
Plant on left - Another innocuous plant. (Only has two leaves across from each other.)
Plant in the middle - This little plant is Poison Ivy! Plant on the right - An innocuous plant. (Poison Ivy never has serrated leaves.) |
Facts & Images Courtesy of The Poison Ivy Site
