Looking for a cautionary tale about nature's danger? Look no further than Toxicodendron radicans, also known as eastern poison ivy or simply poison ivy. This flowering plant is infamous for causing an unpleasant and often painful reaction in most people who come into contact with it. The cause is a compound called urushiol, found in the plant's sap. Poison ivy can be found in a variety of forms, from a climbing vine to a shrub or trailing vine. Its leaves are a distinctive trifoliate shape, with three almond-shaped leaflets. Leaf color ranges from light to dark green, turning bright red in fall. Poison ivy spreads either vegetatively or sexually, with flowering occurring from May to July. The berry-like fruit is a favorite of some animals and remains viable after passing through their digestive tract.
