Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a flowering plant of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). Along with many other members of this family it produces a very skin-irritating substance (urushiol) found in its sap. 

Identifying poison ivy: Often-heard advice about poison ivy is “leaves of three, let it be." In botanical terms, poison ivy has compound leaves with three leaflets; this a good start to identifying the plant. Poison ivy can be confusing to identify as it can grow as a low-growing ground cover, as a shrub, or as a vine. Moreover, there are a number of other plants that look very similar to poison ivy. These include Eastern box elder, fragrant sumac, poison oak and kudzu. It can also be confused with Virginia creeper which usually has 5 leaflets but sometimes has only three. For help, Name That Plant is a  native plants website with good pictures to will help in identification.

How to eradicate poison ivy from a garden: The best way to remove poison ivy is to dig it up. Before you start, protect yourself from exposure. Tape pants closed around the ankles and tape a long-sleeved shirt at the wrists. Wear thick work gloves and protective goggles. If the ground is very dry, water the area first. You can then pull the plants up from the roots by pulling on the thickest stems. Sometimes you will need to dig up any remaining roots separately. Place the plants in a thick-walled plastic bag and place this inside another plastic bag. Dispose of the bag in the household waste. Do not burn the plants or place in the compost. When you are finished, wash yourself with soapy water and wash your clothes separately. It is difficult to eradicate the plant completely; check back after a few weeks as the procedure may need to be repeated several times.

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service