By Trish Svoboda

Most people agree that avoiding poison ivy is good advice, but Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini emphasizes that this starts with correctly identifying the allergenic plant.

Domenghini explains that poison ivy can grow in multiple forms with varying leaf appearances. The three varieties include an erect woody shrub, a climbing woody vine, and groundcover.

In its vining form, poison ivy has aerial roots that give the vines a fuzzy, rope-like appearance. As a groundcover, it is often confused with Virginia creeper or Woodbine. Poison ivy shrubs can be found in fields, pastures, woods, or even home gardens.

Poison ivy leaves have various margins, such as toothed, incised, lobed, or smooth, but they always appear in groups of three. The leaf size can vary, but the middle leaflet is the only one with a long stalk and is larger than the other two, which are closely attached to the petiole (leaf stem).

When removing poison ivy plants, it is recommended to wear pants, long sleeves, and gloves, and to wash clothing and skin afterward to remove any plant toxins.

For groundcover poison ivy, direct spraying or grubbing (digging) are common removal strategies. Ensure the soil is moist before grubbing to effectively remove the plants, including their root systems.

Herbicides can also be used on poison ivy shrubs. For woody vines, cut the plant off at the base and treat the emerging sprouts with herbicide as they appear.