![]() ![]() Urushiol is the oil within the poison ivy’s sap that causes an allergic reaction. In autumn, the leaves turn red, yellow, and orange. As the leaves mature, they become larger and dark green. New leaf growth in the spring is generally reddish. The leaves can be shiny or dull, hairy or sleek, with smooth, wavy, or coarsely-notched edges. Beyond the three leaflets, poison ivy leaves are highly variable in form. The middle leaflet may be slightly longer than the others. Birds regularly feed on the clusters of white berries formed in early autumn. ![]() It is easy to overlook the tiny white flowers that appear in late spring. As a vine, poison ivy climbs with visibly hairy, fuzzy aerial roots as anchors. However, this native perennial plant may appear as a small shrub, a single-stem plant, or a clump of plants. Poison ivy grows along open edges of many habitats, including wooded areas, fields, thickets, fence rows, trails, and disturbed areas. However, Virginia creeper can be aggressive, so plant it where you can manage its spread. Its leaves become a brilliant red color in autumn and can be a fabulous addition to your landscape. Virginia creeper can grow on trellises, arbors, or chain link fences and cover tree stumps, rock piles, or other eyesores. These fruits have food value for wildlife and birds. After producing small, greenish flowers in late spring, the Virginia creeper bears small, dark blue berries that reflect its membership in the grape family. On the surface, it forms a ground cover about a foot high. Virginia creeper climbs or trails on the ground using tendrils with adhesive sucker discs that allow the tendril to adhere to surfaces. These leaflets have a toothed edge and are consistent in form. The most apparent distinction is that the Virginia creeper, a native perennial vine, possesses leaves consisting of five leaflets. Poison ivy ( Toxicodendron radicans) and Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefolia) may look similar at first glance. How can you determine if these vines are the notorious poison ivy or the innocuous Virginia creeper? You may encounter vines growing alongside trails and stream banks during outdoor excursions. Perhaps some of that time has been spent exploring natural areas for hiking, bicycling, or fishing. Many of us are spending more time outdoors this summer. ![]()
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