Form

• Poison ivy grows in three forms: creeping vine, woody vine and a small, upright shrub. The creeping vine is most common, and is usually found growing upright on trees. It has aerial roots that allow it to attach itself to nearby trees, shrubs and plants. The woody vine typically grows in a horizontal direction on the ground, while the shrub features a gray-brown bark that may grow thin roots on its surface that resemble fine hairs. The shrub may also have slender yellow-brown twigs with similar hair-like roots on their bark.
  
  

Color

• The color of foliage on a poison plant can vary even on a single plant. However, it usually begins in the spring as reddish-green leaves. As the summer progresses, the foliage darkens to a rich, dark green shade. In the fall, the leaves change color like many plants, turning red, orange or yellow.
  
  

Leaves

• The most distinguishing feature of the poison ivy plant is the shape and configuration of its leaves. The plant features compound leaves, which each contain three leaflets that grow alternately along the stem. The individual leaflets are typically 2 to 4 inches in size, though the center leaflet is usually larger than the other two. The leaflets may have rounded, scalloped or toothed edges, and their surface often has a glossy or waxy cast.
  
  

Flowers and Fruit

• In mid-summer, the poison ivy plant blooms, growing yellow-green flowers in small groups near the leaves. In late summer, the plant develops fruit, which resemble berries or currants and are grayish white in color. You may notice birds and other animals feeding on the poison ivy plant's fruit.
  
  

Common Locations

• Poison ivy grows in all parts of the United States, excluding Alaska, Hawaii and some desert regions west of the Rocky Mountains. In the East, South and Midwest, the plant commonly appears as a vine. In the Northern and Western regions of the country, it is usually found as a shrub. Poison ivy can grow in a variety of locations, but it is typically found along the edges of wooded areas, fences or roads. It is often found around lakes, rivers and streams as well. Poison ivy tends to grow in open areas, but it can also grow among flowerbeds, trees and shrubs near a home. You may even spot poison ivy vines growing up fences or trees in your yard.