Poison Ivy (Rhus radicans)

Poison ivy grows in warm habitats of low to mid-elevations throughout much of the U.S. to Mexico. The entire plant is allergenic, causing severe and continuing skin irritation on contact for most people. Even the smoke from burning plants can be toxic. You can also be poisoned by secondary contact with tools or clothes that have touched poison ivy. The fluid in poison ivy induced blisters contain the compound that causes the infamous reaction and can cause further contamination. Photo from the Salmon River Canyon, Idaho. June 2006