# western poison ivy (*Toxicodendron rydbergii*) Western poison ivy is a plant that can grow as a vine or a small shrub. It has shiny green leaves that can turn red in the fall. Be careful, as touching it can make your skin itchy! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Poison Ivy ![western poison ivy](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Toxicodendron_rydbergii_UGA1208036.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org (cropped by the uploader), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toxicodendron_rydbergii_UGA1208036.jpg) ## Appearance The western poison ivy typically grows as a low shrub or groundcover, but can also be a climbing vine. It has shiny green leaves arranged in sets of three leaflets, which turn brilliant red or orange in fall. Small, whitish berries are produced in clusters. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Anacardiaceae - **Genus:** Toxicodendron ## Interesting facts - Burning poison ivy can send its oily smoke into your lungs, causing internal rashes! - The rash from poison ivy isn't contagious, it's an allergic reaction to the oil! - The sticky oil can stay active on tools, clothes, and pets for many years! - This plant is surprisingly related to tasty cashews and sweet mangoes! ## Special abilities - **Defense Oil:** Western poison ivy has a special oil called urushiol that helps it defend against animals that might try to eat its leaves. - **Shape-Shifter Growth:** Western poison ivy can grow as a low plant, a shrub, or a climbing vine, helping it survive in many places. - **Birdy Snacks:** Western poison ivy produces white berries that birds safely eat, helping spread its seeds far and wide. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 20-100 cm - **Spread:** 50-300 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** High - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Safely browses its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Eats its white berries. - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar from its flowers. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Toxic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/toxic): Toxic organisms contain substances that are poisonous and can cause adverse effects upon exposure. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High Do not touch poison ivy, as it can make your skin itchy and uncomfortable. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify western poison ivy? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is western poison ivy? 20-100 cm ### How wide does western poison ivy spread? 50-300 cm ### How big are the flowers on western poison ivy? 0.2-0.5 cm ### When does western poison ivy bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is western poison ivy edible? No ### Is western poison ivy toxic? High ### What is western poison ivy's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gibraltar-rock-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Randolph Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/randolph-center-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Ascutney Mill Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ascutney-mill-dam) — New Hampshire, US · Historic Site - [Cherry County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cherry-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Denbigh Experimental Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/denbigh-experimental-forest) — North Dakota, US · Botanical Garden - [Kent Neighborhood Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kent-neighborhood-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District [View all places to see western poison ivy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-poison-ivy) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Western Poison Ivy: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-poison-ivy)