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Step 1
Poison ivyRemember that, in the United States, poison ivy is usually found east of the Rocky Mountains and poison oak is normally found in the West.
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Step 2
Look for the leaves of a poison ivy plant to have arrangements of three leaflets growing from a single stem. Two of these leaflets will be exactly opposite each other, while the third will be all by itself and growing on a longer stalk than the other two.
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Step 3
Watch for lobed leaves that resemble an oak tree's leaves on a poison oak plant. The leaves will be arranged similar to those of poison ivy, but they will be lobed with smooth edges. Poison ivy leaves, on the other hand, may be lobed, toothed or even rounded. Both of these plants will turn a deep red scarlet color in the autumn.
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Step 4
Poison oakObserve poison ivy growing in the form of a creeping vine or a shrub. Vines of poison ivy can be on the ground as well as hanging from trees and other structures that can support them. Look for poison oak in the form of a small bush, although it also can appear as a vine in some instances. Poison oak will grow in dense clusters.
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Step 5
Observe the stems of the poison ivy plant. In most cases the stem has a woody look to it and the rootlets, which allow it to attach to trees, make the stem look like a frazzled rope. Poison ivy is able to thrive in the sun and in the shade.
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Step 6
Remember that the berries of poison ivy, which appear in the late summer and early fall, are waxy and a dull white, while those of the poison oak are ivory in color. These characteristics lead to the old saying of "leaves of three, let it be: berries white, poisonous sight" according to the Waynesword.palomar website.
