Family: Anacardiaceae, Cashew view all from this family

Description Lanky shrub that exudes resinous, rash-causing sap.
Height: 3-5' (0.9-1.5 m).
Flowers: tiny, in yellowish-white, 3" (7.5 cm) clusters; bloom May–June.
Leaves: 4" (10 cm) long, compound, with 3 ovate, sometimes coarse-toothed, shiny leaflets, each up to 3" (7.5 cm) long; turn red in fall, and often some red much earlier.
Fruit: 1/4" (6 mm), greenish white berries in dense clusters.

Warning Do not touch; causes severe skin inflammation in people susceptible to its volatile oils. Berries poisonous if eaten.

Habitat Wide variety of habitats from riverbottoms to subalpine regions; often on disturbed ground, including roadsides.

Range Southern Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia and south into the United States to North Carolina, the Great Lakes states, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oregon.

Discussion This poison ivy species was formerly considered a subspecies of Poison Ivy (T. radicans), which differs in form and is often a climbing vine. Both can be recognized by their three leaflets.