WHAT DOES POISON IVY LOOK LIKE? HOW TO ID AND AVOID IT
Poison ivy is an extremely prevalent plant east of the Rocky Mountains, and probably one of the most well known poisonous plants in the world. The common nature of the plant is probably due to the fact that many different bird species feed on its berries, as poison ivy does not have the same irritating effect on animals that it does on humans. There is a resin in the plant’s sap called urushiol that causes an itchy rash for humans following contact with any part of the plant. You’ve probably heard the “leaves of three, let it be” rule, which dictates that a plant with a compound leaf of three—or three distinct leaflets joining together on a single stem—may be poisonous and should be avoided. However, the trouble with poison ivy is that even within this rule, it can take on many different appearances that vary by season or even just by plant. What Does Poison Ivy Look Like? Poison ivy leaves can present as smooth-edged, or wavy or jagged, and can also appear either waxy and sh