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Common Name: Poison Ivy

Other Names: Poison Mercury

Species Name: Toxicodendron radicans

Plant Type: Woody

Family Name: Anacardiaceae, Cashew Family

 

 

 

 

Plant Facts  
Origin Native
Duration Perennial
Distribution in the U.S. Throughout the country with the exception of the Pacific Coast and the extreme Southwest
Distribution in Oklahoma Throughout the state

 

 

ID Characteristics

  • Field Identification Characteristics

    Vegtative

    • Climbing or standing habit
    • Iconic “leaves of 3”
    • Leaves pointed and varies from smooth edges to moderate lobes

    Floral

    • Berries in clusters and white in color
  • Leaf and Stem Characteristics
    • Growth Form: Shrubs or woody vines
    • Leaf Type: Compound, 1 pinnately
    • Leaf Arrangement: Alternate 
    • Leaf Blade Edge: Coarse, serrated to lobed
    • Leaf Blade Length: 6-13 centimeters
  • Floral Characteristics
    • Petal Number: 5
    • Flower Color: Greenish white
    • Flower Timing: April-June
    • Fruit Type: Drupes

 

 

Habitat/Ecology  
Soil Type Variable
Habitat Disturbed sites, roadsides, right-of-ways, fence rows, gravel bars and forest edges
Successional Stage All

 

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