Size:

• Varies from an herb low to the ground to a subshrub, shrub or vine.

Leaves:

• There are 3 leaflets per stem with the middle leaflet usually larger. The leaf color is various shades of green with yellow, orange, or red in fall.

Stem:

• Stem is red when young and turns browner with age. Mature vines have small woody thorns.

Flowers:

• Small greenish-white flowers

Roots:

• Fibrous root structure and can spread by underground rhizomes (root stems)

Seeds:

• Forms waxy, cream or yellowish-white berries in clusters

Habitat:

• Though not common in Colorado, poison ivy is along the front range and grows on edges of woods, in fields and prairies and backyard gardens. It climbs tree trunks and spreads across the ground.

Control:

• To effectively control poison ivy, use a combination of physical removal, chemical herbicides, and preventive measures while ensuring safety to avoid skin contact with the plant. Noted for creating an itchy rash on contact with skin. It is an extremely adaptable, persistent type of vegetation, and as a result, it can be easy to accidentally become affected. Mowing over poison ivy or chopping vines can spread irritating oils.