How to Identify the Difference Between Poison Oak and Poison Ivy

Both poison ivy and poison oak grow as shrubs and vines.

Both poison ivy and poison oak produce urushiol, a substance that causes inflammation and blistering on skin. Both plants may be recognized by their three-leaf structure, with the center leaf's stem longer than the other two stems. When hiking in the woods or working outdoors, take care to identify poison oak and poison ivy, so you can stay far away from both plants.

Instructions

1. Look at the berries. Poison ivy has stark, white berries, while poison oak has berries that are pale green in the spring and cream in the autumn.

2. Look at the edges of the leaves. If the edges are finely jagged, the plant is poison ivy.

3. Inspect the shape of the leaves. If the leaves have gentle lobes like those of an oak tree, the plant is poison oak. Poison ivy leaves tend to have a smoother, oval shape.

Tips & Warnings

• Adhere to the hiker's rule of "Leaves of three, let it be."

• Both poison ivy and poison oak cause rashes, so be careful when hiking or playing in the woods.

References

• KidsHealth: Poison Ivy
• American Museum of Natural HIstory: Tips to Identify Poison Ivy
• Jacksonville Medical Park Online: Poison Oak