Safety note: Contact with any part causes severe allergic rash (urushiol) in most people; smoke from burning plants is especially dangerous.
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.'
Habitat
Forests, forest edges, roadsides, and disturbed areas across North America
Diet
Berries critically important for over 60 bird species including yellow-rumped warbler
How common
Common
Recent Poison Ivy sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Poison Ivy? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.
Get Huck — free