Poison ivy is native to North Carolina. It will grow in floodplain wetlands and swamps, but also grows in drier upland areas. It grows especially well in areas that have been recently disturbed, such as by construction or roadways. It often grows alongside jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), which is another common wetland plant. Jewelweed is sometimes used as a homeopathic remedy for poison ivy that is said to prevent poison ivy reactions.
Plant of the Month: Poison ivy
chase.bergeson • April 5, 2023
Toxicodendron radicans AKA Poison ivy
One of the most common plants that we’ve found at our monitoring sites is one that’s useful to know wherever you are: Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Poison ivy can be hard to identify as it can look very dissimilar from plant to plant or even at different points of the same plant. It is helpful to remember the common cautionary sayings:
“Leaves of three, let it be!”
“If it’s a hairy rope, don’t be a dope!”
Toxicodendron means poison tree. You definitely don’t want to accidentally touch this plant as it gives off an oil called urushiol, which can cause itchiness and puss-filled bumps for many people. Ick! You can get the oils from the plant on your skin from any part of the plant, even in winter or if the plant is dead. Some people have more of a reaction than others to the urushiol, but a sensitivity can develop over time, so it’s best not to touch. If you develop a rash, it is not contagious, but the oils can stay on your clothes or pets for a long time, causing re-exposure to the oils.
The second part of the name, radicans, means rooting. This is useful to remember as the vine that poison ivy often grows on can become covered in tiny roots that help it cling to and climb trees. Thus, the vine has a hairy or fuzzy appearance.
The leaves of poison ivy are trifoliate, meaning you will always find 3 leaves together. The plant may have many branches, each with 3 leaves. Be careful to look at multiple parts of the plant as it is possible that damage to the plant may cause you to only see 2 leaves, but most of the plant should have groupings of 3 leaves and never more than 3 leaves. The leaves can vary significantly in shape and color. Leaves may appear green, reddish, shiny, or matte! They may appear as smooth (entire) almond shapes or may have significant toothing (lobing). Poison ivy can grow as ground cover, a bushy plant growing out of the ground, or a hairy vine growing up a tree. Poison ivy has white fruits in the fall and yellow flowers in the summer.
leaves
Photo By: Amanda Johnson
Leaves
Photo By: Jane Kirkland
Leaves
Photo By: wrudolph
Poison Ivy leaves
Photo by: Amanda Johnson
Poison ivy is not a true ivy, but it is in the same family as cashews and mangoes. If you develop a severe allergy to poison ivy, you may also be affected by these plants.
Poison ivy can be confused with a couple other common plants we might see:
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) also grows on a vine and can be green or reddish. It has groupings of 5 leaves, but some younger parts of the plant may have only 3 leaves. Check the whole plant and if you see leaves of 5 anywhere on the plant, it is not poison ivy.
Young box elders (Acer negundo) can also be confused for poison ivy. Box elder is a type of maple that can also have groups of 3 leaves. They grow in wet areas and although they become trees, they start out small and shrubby like poison ivy. It is helpful to look at how the leaves are arranged. Poison ivy has alternate branching, meaning that only one branch will come out of the main stem at any point. Box elders, like all maples, have opposite branching, meaning that 2 branches will depart from the main stem at any point along the stem. If the plant is damaged, there may be some points where you don’t see 2 branches, but if there is any point on the stem where 2 branches come out at the same point, it has opposite branching.
Box elder
Photo By: Nate Loper
Box elder's opposite branching
Photo By: Aliaksandar Malik
Poison ivy's alternate branching
Photo By: Colby McClain
Poison ivy gets a bad reputation, but it has benefits! Its fruits provide food for many animals and its roots help hold soil and prevent erosion, especially in disturbed areas.
On your next hike, look out for poison ivy in its many forms, so that you’ll be prepared to identify it at our next monitoring events. If you are still unsure, you can practice using
iNaturalist on your phone to help you.
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Celebrating Our Carolina Wetlands
Hello Wetland Supporters, I hope everyone had a wonderful American Wetlands Month in May and found an opportunity to get outside and explore a wetland. We enjoyed fantastic paddling events at Robertson Millpond Preserve and Lake Mayo, where participants experienced the beauty and importance of these unique ecosystems firsthand. Wetlands have also been in the news recently as the impacts of recent Supreme Court decisions on wetland protections continue to be evaluated. Two recent articles highlight what is at stake: Lisa Sorg in Inside Climate News, Supreme Court’s Limitation on Wetlands Protection Will Make Flooding Worse Jesse Gourevitch and Adam Gold, New Research Shows What’s at Stake When Wetlands Disappea r The central message of both articles is clear: the loss of wetlands leads to increased flooding and rising economic costs for communities. Research cited by Gourevitch and Gold found that wetland loss across the United States has increased residential flood insurance claim payments by an estimated $10.1 billion since 1985 — approximately 9% of all insured riverine flood losses nationwide. The authors also emphasize that policymakers must better recognize the economic value wetlands provide in reducing flood damage to homes and communities. According to the research, the flood-mitigation value of currently unprotected wetlands is estimated at $177 billion nationwide , with North Carolina accounting for approximately $4.6 billion of those benefits . This research reinforces what the Carolina Wetlands Association has long understood: healthy wetlands are essential infrastructure for resilient communities. Through support from the NC Land and Water Fund, Carolina Wetlands Association have received three grants to partner with vulnerable communities to assess flooding concerns and develop restoration plans that incorporate community input, scientific data collection, and hydrologic modeling to identify the most effective wetland restoration strategies. We are also excited to share that we recently received a fourth NC Land and Water Fund grant to begin our first restoration project at Stony Run in Harnett County. Stony Run Walkable Watershed Lumbee Cultural Center Wetland Restoration By working alongside communities and restoring wetland resources, we are helping reduce potential flood damage while also providing additional benefits such as improved water quality, recreation opportunities, shoreline stabilization, environmental education, and greater community resilience. So, the next time you explore a wetland, remember that healthy wetlands mean healthy communities — and your support plays an important role in protecting these valuable ecosystems. Wetlands truly do matter. Best, Rick Savage Executive Director
Wetland supporters enjoyed two memorable May paddling events, exploring North Carolina’s beautiful wetlands while spotting wildlife and learning from local experts.
May is American Wetlands Month - yes, an entire month to celebrate these ecologically diverse and economically important ecosystems. Wetlands account for 14% of the land area in North Carolina and almost 20% of South Carolina!