Poison ivy and poison oak Toxicodendron radicans and Toxicodendron diversibba Cashew (Anacardiacese) Family

Description: These two plants are quite similar in appearance and will often crossbreed to make a hybrid. Both have alternate, compound leaves with three leaflets. The leaves of poison ivy are smooth or serrated. Poison oak's leaves are lobed and resemble oak leaves. Poison ivy grows as a vine along the ground or climbs by red feeder roots. Poison oak grows like a bush. The greenish-white flowers are small and inconspicuous and are followed by waxy green berries that turn waxy white or yellow, then gray.

Habitat and Distribution: Poison ivy and oak can be found in almost any habitat in North America.

Poison sumac Toxicodendron vernix Cashew (Anacardiacese) Family

Description: Poison sumac is a shrub that grows to 8.5 meters tall. It has alternate, pinnately compound leafstalks with 7 to 13 leaflets. Flowers are greenish-yellow and inconspicuous and are followed by white or pale yellow berries.

Habitat and Distribution: Poison sumac grows only in wet, acid swamps in North America.

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