Pictures of Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac

The images below explore poison ivy, oak, and sumac plants as they change through the seasons. These plants exhibit distinct transformations throughout the year. These images capture their varying appearances, aiding in accurate identification.

Remember: If you touch poison ivy, oak, or sumac plants and get their rash-causing oil on your skin, remove it as soon as possible. This will help prevent getting a rash. Make sure to also clean the oil from your clothes, tools, and anything else that touched the urushiol. This will help avoid spreading it to your skin.

Poison ivy images:

Single poison ivy leaf. — Single Poison Ivy Leaf - A close-up of a single poison ivy leaf. The characteristic trifoliate structure is evident.

Poison ivy plant with berries — Poison Ivy With Berries - A poison ivy plant adorned with clusters of white berries. This feature is prominent during late summer and fall.

Poison Ivy leaves in the Fall. — Climbing Poison Ivy in Fall - A picture of poison ivy's climbing behavior, as it ascends a tree trunk during its growth cycle. The foliage shifts to vibrant shades of red and orange.

Red Poison Ivy plant in winter. — Red Poison Ivy Plant in Winter A winter view of poison ivy, which turns red even after its leaves have fallen. Caution is advised, as contact with the oil remains a risk. The rash-causing oil is found in the stems and roots as well as the leaves and berries.

Poison Oak Images:

Poison Oak Bush. — Poison Oak Bush - A picture showing the appearance of a poison oak bush. It is characterized by its three distinct leaflets.

Poison oak plant in the Fall. — Poison Oak Plant in Fall - A picture of poison oak leaves in autumn, showcasing their color transition to red and orange.

Red poison oak plant. — Red Poison Oak Plant in Winter - An image of poison oak's transformation into vibrant red hues. Note you can still see its three distinct leaflets.

Poison sumac images:

Poison sumac plant with red stem. — Poison Sumac Plant with Red Stem - A picture of a poison sumac plant highlighting its red stem. The red stem is a key identifying feature.

Red poison sumac plant in the Fall. — Red Poison Sumac Plant in Fall - A picture of poison sumac undergoing a shift to red tones as the fall season approaches.

Where can you find poison ivy, oak and sumac plants?

Poison Ivy:

Poison ivy grows across much of North America, excluding Newfoundland and certain regions. It exists as a shrub up to about 4 feet tall, a groundcover, or a climbing vine. The leaves consist of three almond-shaped leaflets. They range in color from light to dark green and transform to vibrant red in autumn. The berries are grayish-white.

Poison Oak:

Poison oak grows along the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America. Poison oak thrives as a shrub in sunny areas or a climbing vine in shaded regions. The three leaflets resemble true oak leaves. They can appear bronze, bright green, yellow-green, or reddish depending on the season. Poison oak will produce greenish-white or tan berries.

Poison Sumac:

Poison sumac grows in wet, flooded soils of the eastern United States. They may grow as far west as Idaho and north into Canada. It grows as compound leaves with 7-13 leaflets. You can identify poison versus regular sumac by its red-veined stems. This shrub produces small white or grey berries.