Don’t let an encounter with poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) ruin your outdoor experiences. Poison ivy is a toxic vine that climbs by aerial roots, which develop a hairy appearance. They can also appear as a low, upright shrub. The leaves are alternate, compound with 3 leaflets that are variable in size and shape. The center leaflet has a longer stalk than the other 2 leaflets. Poison ivy can be found statewide. If you encounter it, change your clothing and immediately wash the affected area with soap and water. The rash causing oil can remain on fabric until it is washed.The white, waxy berries produced by the plants are a popular, and important, food for songbirds during fall migration and in winter when other foods are scarce.
Courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
