poison ivy

/ˌˈpɔɪzn ˌaɪvi/

/ˈpɔɪzɪn ˈaɪvi/

Poison ivy is a vine-like plant with clusters of three leaves, and it oozes oil that gives most people an itchy rash with blisters. Poison Ivy is also the name of a comic book villain. Stay away from both.

Despite its name, poison ivy isn't a type of ivy, though it is a climbing plant that spreads quickly across the ground and climbs up trees and fences. Many animals can safely eat the leaves and berries of poison ivy, but the majority of people are severely allergic to it. If you hope to avoid poison ivy, remember the saying "Leaves of three, let it be," a reference to the plant's distinctive groups of three leaflets.

Definitions of poison ivy

1. noun

   climbing plant common in eastern and central United States with ternate leaves and greenish flowers followed by white berries; yields an irritating oil that causes a rash on contact
   synonyms: Rhus radicans, Toxicodendron radicans, markweed, poison mercury, poison oak

   type of:

   poisonous plant

   a plant that when touched or ingested in sufficient quantity can be harmful or fatal to an organism
2. noun

   dermatitis resulting from contact with the poison ivy plant
   “my poison ivy is drying up”

   type of:

   Rhus dermatitis

   contact dermatitis resulting from contact with plants of the genus Toxicodendron