Poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac can cause an allergic reaction due to a toxic oil in stems, leaves, roots, and flowers of the plants. Though the allergic reaction the same regardless of which plant, the plants are different from each other. Here’s how to tell the difference between poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac—and spot them in your backyard, local parks, and neighborhood.
How to identify poisonous plants
Poison ivy
Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is common in the eastern United States, though it can be found as far west as Utah and Arizona. It grows as a rope-like hairy vine on and around trees and also as small shrubs, typically 6–12 inches in height. Poison ivy thrives in a variety of environments, including forested woods, backyards, parks, wetlands, stream beds, and near roadways. Poison ivy is most easily identified by its three glossy and asymmetric leaves. Each leaf comes to a point, and two of the three leaves have asymmetric jagged edges. Leaves are typically green but will absorb orange and red hues in autumn.
Pacific poison oak
Pacific poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) is common in the western United States and along the western coast of Canada. Atlantic poison oak (Toxicodendron pubescens) is found in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States, though has also been observed in the midwest. Both species grow in forests, parks, neighborhoods, near water sources, and along roadways. Poison oak grows as a low shrub with clusters of three leaves that resemble oak leaves. Poison oak leaves have bumpy edges. Typically, poison oak grows to match the color of the foliage around it, turning yellow and red in autumn. Poison oak produces clusters of berries that appear yellow-green or white and produces white flowers between August and November.
Poison sumac
Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) is relatively rare compared to poison oak and poison ivy but still ranges along the entire Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and into the midwestern United States. Poison sumac looks totally different from poison oak and poison ivy. The plant grows as a tall fern-like shrub and can develop into a small tree—each plant will grow 7–13 pointed ovular leaflets that run in pairs on red-tinted stems. The plant does produce loose-hanging berries. Like poison oak and poison ivy, poison sumac will also change colors with the seasons—the leaves turn yellow or pink and the berries will also change color from green to cream to yellow.
Image 1: Poison ivy
Image 2: Pacific poison oak
Image 3: Poison sumac
Allergic reactions and treatment
The plants are different, but the toxic oil urushiol lurks in resin canals in stems, leaves, flowers, and roots within each plant, all of which remain toxic throughout the dormant winter season. Urushiol is an allergen that binds to specialized white blood cells in the skin and triggers an extended immune system reaction. The body responds by sending T-cells to the site of the reaction, deploying enzymes and toxins that attack the compromised cells—and everything else around them. This results in blotchy, red, itchy rashes.
Allergic reactions don’t happen immediately—they typically occur 12–36 hours after plant contact. Once developed, the rash will persist for up to two weeks, even with treatment. The best preventative step to take is to clean any skin exposed to poison oak, poison sumac, or poison ivy with soap and warm water and to wash any clothing that would come into contact with the oil as soon as possible. If you’re a pet owner, it’s worth pointing out that urushiol can be carried by your pets for up to 12 hours. Be aware of the surroundings when you take your pets outside and wash them if they’ve discovered a patch of poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac.
To alleviate the itching and burning, try:
- Treating small rashes with a wet towel compress or a cold bath.
- Placing cucumber slices or whole mashed cucumbers on the rash.
- Applying a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with a cup of very cold water.
- Soothing a large rash or multiple rashes in an oatmeal bath, which can also help heal the rash sites.
- Rubbing aloe vera on rash sites.
- Applying calamine lotion to rash sites.
How to remove the plants from your yard
It’s likely that at some point, you’ll find one of these plants in your backyard or in your neighborhood. If you’re extremely allergic to urushiol, it might be best to find someone else to remove the plants for you. But if you’d like to take action yourself, here’s how to remove poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac:
- Never burn—Never burn poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac. Urushiol will actually travel in smoke and can be inhaled. The same allergic reaction that happens on your skin can happen in your respiratory tract—meaning potentially life-threatening and extremely uncomfortable allergic reactions.
- Protect your skin—Dress for the part. Wear rubber gloves and clothing that covers your skin. You may wish to wear a mask, though isn’t essential.
- Pull up the plants—You’ll need to get the root system as well. Alternatively, you can cut the plants to the ground with pruning shears and bag them in garbage bags to dispose of. Then dig the roots up with a spade or trowel. Bag them as well. Once the plants are removed, wash all clothing and tools immediately—or dispose of them. Rinse your machine after to remove any lingering oil.
- Use a herbicide—Use a herbicide that contains glyphosate or triclopyr as a last resort. Though herbicide will kill plants, there’s a possibility the roots will remain intact and allow regrowth. Herbicides can also kill surrounding plants as well.