Poison Ivy
“Leaves of three,
let them be” is not the most useful jingle to distinguish Poison Ivy
from less troublesome plants. Several other species in our forest
have three leaflets, including the harmless Box-Elder and various
blackberries. When pointing out Poison Ivy, I more often turn
people’s eyes toward the aerial roots that are coated with thousands of
tiny rootlets and help the vine cling to the sides of trees. With
a little practice, you can also learn to identify the leaves by looking
for the typical shiny coloration and blister-like bumps that often form
on the surface.
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