It is crucial to be able to identify poison ivy because it can turn a fun trip into a very miserable experience.  Here are 5 steps to help you identify this bothersome and irritating plant.

If you have spent much time in the outdoors then odds are that at some point in time you have been near poison ivy.  Unfortunately for me I have first hand experience with this plant and have found out how bad it can be.  More about that backpacking trip and the awful rash I got below.  I did learn from that experience and now wanted to share some simple steps to help you identify poison ivy.

*Note – this follows the four main steps of leaf description for beginners, but is tailored to poison ivy.

My Unforgetable Poison Ivy Backpacking Trip

Once on a camping trip in northern California some friends and I spent three days near some hot springs.  On the ten mile hike in a friend and I got poison ivy. I had it on my legs that caused them to break out into a painful, oozy rash.

My friend was even more unlucky than me because he got it so bad on his face that by the second day his eyes were practically swollen shut!  He was not a happy camper:(

That trip was memorable, but not for the best reasons.  I still remember to this day how miserable my friend was and how much I wanted to get rid of that itching, painful feeling.

WARNING – I just want to make sure I give you a very clear heads up that the leaves of this plant are not always the same.  They can look different in different areas, different times of year, or at different ages of the plant.  The best advice is to follow step 1 if you aren’t certain.

Step 1 To Identify Poison Ivy – Leaves Of Three, Let Them Be

There is an old saying that says, ‘leaves of three, let them be.’  In essence that simply tells you that if you see a group of three leaves together then it may be poison ivy and you should stay away from it.

Basically, each leaf is made up of three individual leaflets that come off of one stem.  There is one pointing up and one to each side, making a group of three leaves.  This is a compound leaf.

Generally, the center leaf has a long stem, but the two side leaves come right off the central stem.

Here is an old post that explains the different leaf structures.

Step 2 To Identify Poison Ivy – Look At The Leaf Edges

Look at the edges of the leaves.  The edges of poison ivy leaves can vary quite a bit.  They typically have a toothed or coarse edge.  However, the edge of the leaflets can also be smooth.

Here is an old post that explains more about different leaf edges.

Step 3 To Identify Poison Ivy – Look At The Shape Of The Leaves

The next step is to look at the basic shape of each of the leaflets.  Each leaflet of poison ivy is usually ovate or elliptical.  This means that each leaflet is longer than it is wide with a wider middle and narrower ends.

It is also important to note that the leaflets come to a point.

Here is an old post that talks more about common leaf shapes.

Step 4 To Identify Poison Ivy – What Does The Plant Look Like?

Unfortunately, this is not always a straightforward answer.  Typically, poison ivy grows as a vine, but it can also grow as a shrub.

Step 5 To Identify Poison Ivy – Where Are You?

The final step is to think about where you are.  Poison ivy grows at lower elevations, usually not above 5,000 feet.  It likes to grow in temperate forests and is common in urban areas.  It is very adaptable and the only areas you won’t find it are deserts and high elevations.

Thus, if you are above 5,000 feet or in a desert you most likely are not looking at poison ivy.