Poison Ivy

plants · allergies · nature

Not actually ivy. Despite its name, poison ivy is not a real ivy plant. It is actually a member of the same family as cashews and pistachios called Anacardiaceae.

Found in two continents. Poison ivy is native to East Asia and North America, where it grows wild in forests, fields, and gardens.

Three different species. Scientists used to think all poison ivies were the same plant, but now they know there are three separate species: Toxicodendron radicans, T. rydbergii, and T. orientale.

Looks different everywhere. Poison ivy plants change their appearance and growth style depending on where they live and what conditions they grow in, making them tricky to identify.

The urushiol oil. Poison ivy contains an oil called urushiol that causes the itchy rash when it touches your skin, even if the plant looks dead or dried out.