Poison-Ivy is perhaps our most common native woody vine. All parts of the plant cause severe skin irritation in most people.

Emerging leaves are reddish.

Durham Co., NC 4/11/09.

Poison-Ivy is easily recognized since it's our only vine with 3-parted leaves. In winter, the disctinctively hairy roots adhering to tree trunks are a dead giveaway. Formerly called Rhus radicans. Quite ornamental in fall, when the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and orange.

Just beginning to flower.

Moore Co., NC 4/20/05.

In full bloom.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/2/09.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/2/09.

The small greenish flowers are followed by ornamental white fruits, which are a favorite food of birds.

Orange Co., NC 5/9/04.

Unripe drupes.

Durham, NC 6/5/03.

The similar Atlantic Poison-Oak (Toxicodendron pubescens) is most common in the Sandhills. It differs in that its leaves and drupes have velvety pubescence and it only has a shrub form (Poison-Ivy is normally a vine, but can grow like a shrub).

Ripe fruits.

Columbia, NC 11/1/05.

Carroll Co., VA 10/29/06.

The buds and branch tips are velvety-pubescent.

Carroll Co., VA 10/29/06.

Large vine growing up a tree. The bark of the vine is usually covered by dense aerial rootlets.

Orange Co., NC 1/11/09.

Vines can get very large, taking over dead trees entirely. This one must be at least 30 feet high. Branches of Poison-Ivy can spread laterally 8 feet or more from the trunk.

Carroll Co., VA 10/29/06.