Plant · GBIF taxon 3190628
eastern poison ivy
Toxicodendron radicansAlso known as Poison Ivy, Markweed, Climbing Poison Ivy
Eastern poison ivy grows as a ground cover, dense shrub, or climbing vine attached to tree trunks by dark, hairy aerial roots. All parts of the plant contain urushiol, a persistent resinous oil that triggers intense, blistering rashes in humans upon skin contact. Despite its hazardous reputation among humans, the plant serves as a vital wildlife food source, producing pale white berries that sustain songbirds through winter.
Skin IrritantPerennialVine
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- White-Tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Songbirds
ThreatsHabitat destruction, though rising carbon dioxide levels actually accelerate its growth
HabitatsWoodlands, forest edges, floodplains, roadsides, and disturbed soils
Life spanPerennial (decades)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderSapindales
- FamilyAnacardiaceae
- GenusToxicodendron
- SpeciesToxicodendron radicans
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains urushiol resin causing severe contact rashes; wild berries have toxic look-alikes, never ingest.
- Why it is dangerous
- Produces urushiol oil, which binds readily to skin and triggers an immune response causing severe itching, redness, and fluid-filled blisters.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for alternate leaves grouped in sets of three leaflets, hairy vine stems on trees, and yellowish-white autumn berries.
- What to do
- Do not touch any part of the plant; if exposed, wash skin immediately with cold water and heavy-duty soap within thirty minutes.
Responsible observation
- Identification Rule: Remember the classic phrase leaves of three, let it be to quickly spot the leaflet arrangement.
- Avoid Burning: Never burn cleared vines, as inhaling airborne urushiol smoke causes dangerous airway inflammation.
- Decontaminate Tools: Wash boots, gloves, and pet fur with dish soap or specialized cleansers after accidental contact.
Frequent Companion (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Bob Walker, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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