State Noxious Weed List -No

Growth form: Perennial native small shrub that spreads by both rhizomes and seeds. The leaves are alternate with tri-foliate leaflets. Remember the rhyme, leaves of three - let it be! The leaves are shiny green in the spring and turn yellow and deep red in the fall. The flowers grow in axillary panicles, are yellow-green and not showy. The fruit is globed shaped, resembling small pumpkins, and turns yellow or light brown when mature.

The poison is from a white oil found in the phloem called urushiol that causes an allergic contact dermatitis in about 85% of the population. Plants retain urusiol even after desiccation and smoke from burning poison ivy can carry the oil. The reaction is to the oil, not the plant itself, so one can react by touching objects that have come in contact with the plant such as tools and when removing footwear.