Spotting and Avoiding Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, and Poison Sumac

Often called the "great mimics," Poison Ivy and Oak have a harmless appearance. They are difficult to distinguish from other plants, because they tend to adopt the growth pattern of the plants that surround them. If they take root among tall shrubs, they will grow as tall shrubs. If their home is a field with no tall growth nearby, they grow as a short, innocent-looking weed.

Photos of Poison Ivy