Eastern Poison Ivy
(Toxicodendron radicans)
Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
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Fritz Flohr Reynolds
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Fritz Flohr Reynolds
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CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Fritz Flohr Reynolds | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: FritzFlohrReynolds | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Toxicodendron radicans, commonly known as Eastern Poison Ivy, is a deciduous perennial plant native to woodland edges, thickets, and open areas across Eastern Asia and Eastern North America. It is notorious for causing urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, a condition that results in an itchy and sometimes painful rash upon contact with the skin. The plant exhibits considerable variability in form, capable of growing as a climbing vine reaching great heights when supported by trees, as a shrub up to 1.2 meters tall, or as a groundcover only 10-25 cm tall. The leaves of poison ivy are trifoliate with the leaflets ranging from light to dark green, turning to striking shades of red, orange, or yellow in the fall. The plant is also characterized by its milky sap, which turns black when exposed to air.
Eastern Poison Ivy is valued for its ecological role, providing food and habitat for wildlife. However, due to its allergenic properties, it is not typically cultivated for ornamental purposes. In natural settings, it thrives in a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils. While it is adaptable to various soil types, it is important to handle the plant with care due to its toxic sap. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread aggressively via rhizomes and root crowns. When grown outside its native range, it can become invasive, so it is crucial to consult local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Eastern Poison Ivy is valued for its ecological role, providing food and habitat for wildlife. However, due to its allergenic properties, it is not typically cultivated for ornamental purposes. In natural settings, it thrives in a range of light conditions from full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils. While it is adaptable to various soil types, it is important to handle the plant with care due to its toxic sap. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread aggressively via rhizomes and root crowns. When grown outside its native range, it can become invasive, so it is crucial to consult local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Vine
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant
Natural Habitat
Woodland edges, thickets, and open areas across Eastern Asia and Eastern North America
Other Names
Common Names: Poison-Ivy, Eastern Poison Ivy, Kletternder Gift-Sumach, Kletternder Giftsumach, Herbe À La Puce, Herbe À Puce, Sumac Radicant, Sumac Vénéneux, Eastern Poison Ivy
Scientific Names: , Toxicodendron radicans, Rhus rhomboidea, Rhus toxicodendron var. radicans, Ptelea pentandra, Rhus floridana, Rhus radicans f. intercursa, Toxicodendron phaseoloides, Rhus toxicodendron var. malacotrichocarpum, Toxicodendron goniocarpum
GBIF Accepted Name: Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze