Poison Ivy is perhaps the most notorious plant in North America, causing allergic contact dermatitis in most people who touch its urushiol-containing sap. Despite its reputation among humans, its white berries are an important high-fat food for over 60 bird species, and it is ecologically valuable as food and cover for wildlife. 'Leaves of three, let it be.'
Best time to see a Poison Ivy
The best time to see a Poison Ivy is April–July, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 137,713 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Poison Ivy? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
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