Virginia creeper and poison ivy
People are frequently confused by these two plants when they are first learning to identify poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Although the individual leaflets are similar, Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) has five leaflets to each leaf while poison ivy has three. Let’s make some other comparisons between these “looks similar” plants.
Starting in the spring, here are photos of each plant as it begins growing new leaves:
Poison ivy
Poison ivy
Virginia creeper
Virginia creeper
The leaves of Virginia creeper become green as they mature:
Virginia creeper
Here’s a full-sized Virginia creeper leaf with its five leaflets. Note the leaflets all meet close together in the center of the leaf.
Virginia creeper
In contrast, poison ivy has the three leaflets and the center leaflet has a petiolule (a longer “stem’):
Poison ivy
Here’s a cluster of poison ivy along the ground . . .
Poison ivy
. . . and some branches of it growing up a tree’s trunk . . .
Poison ivy
. . . to a leafy canopy of poison ivy within a tree’s leaves:
Poison ivy
Here are three examples of Virginia creeper growing along the ground . . .
Virginia creeper
. . . hanging down . . .
Virginia creeper
. . . and climbing a tree’s trunk:
Virginia creeper
As poison ivy’s berries develop, they are in a cluster. Eventually, the berries will turn white.
Poison ivy
The developing Virginia creeper berries, which will turn dark purple with red stems when ripe, look like this:
Virginia creeper
The leaves of Virginia creeper turn rosy and yellow as they age in the fall:
Virginia creeper
Similarly, poison ivy’s leaves also turn rosy and golden in the fall:
Poison ivy
When poison ivy climbs a surface, it develops a “hairy” stem which is most evident during the winter season.
Poison ivy
Poison ivy
Hopefully, this comparison has assisted you in developing a strong mental image of poison ivy (a hazardous plant) and Virginia creeper (which looks similar). And perhaps you will now be better able to identify poison ivy in all seasons of the year.
Angelyn,
Thank you for the information on poison ivy. Very helpful and excellent photographs!
Margaret
Thanks for the pictures of the poison ivy I am highly allergic to it. I hope to remember the pictures so I don’t get near it. What types of plants counter act it’s affects. You mentioned counter acting agents in your web cast on poisonious plants ? Thanks for all the help.
Billie, the remedy which works for me is Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis or I. pallida). I use it two ways: (1) Crush the plant’s juicy stem and leaves and rub the plant matter and juice on the skin area where I just came in contact with the poison ivy. This helps prevent getting a poison ivy rash. (2) Make jewelweed ice cubes which I then apply to a poison ivy rash to help it heal quickly. The coolness of the ice helps, too!
To make jewelweed ice cubes. . . Gather a bunch of the plant and place it in a pot with water. Heat the material and let it steep for 20 minutes or so. Strain out the plant. Pour the jewelweed infusion into ice cube trays and freeze. Store the jewelweed ice cubes in the freezer for months. (I’ve kept them for a year — until the next jewelweed season.)
Thanks for the pictures. They were the best ones I’ve seen on the net. I wish you could tell me what to use in my flower beds to get rid of the stuff. I am highly allergic, so pulling is out of the question.
kay, I have heard that using salted boiling water is one way to kill poison ivy. I’ve tried this a couple times in the past — with moderate success. I’m not sure that I succeeded in killing the root. And I have recently learned that this method can also kill other plants because the soil has now become salted. Hhhmmm.
I, too, have a bad response to poison ivy. So when I find some which absolutely needs removal (my vegetable bed, for example), I wear long sleeves, long pants and gloves. I carefully dig the plant (and its roots!) with a shovel and maneuver it into a bag for disposal. I work slowly and mindfully to avoid any personal contact with my clothes or the handle of the shovel. Then I wash all my clothes, and if I feel it is appropriate, take some of the rhus tox homeopathic.
If you believe that is too risky for you, I suggest hiring someone else to pull the plant and its roots — or find a willing friend who does not have such a strong response to poison ivy.
Thank you for the very helpful information with photos. I now am certain that I have Virginia Creeper growing up my porch post.