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What is the difference between poison ivy, oak, and sumac?

Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac are North American woody plants that grow in almost any habitat. The three plants are quite similar in appearance. All three have alternating compound leaves of three leaflets, berrylike fruits, and rusty brown stems. (Alternating compound leaves are made up of several small leaflets that protrude at staggered intervals, on either side of a stem. They are different than opposite leaves, which grow directly opposite one another, on either side of a stem.)

One way to distinguish poison ivy (Rhus radicans) from the others is that it is a vine and climbs on rocks, fences, and high into trees. It has gray-white fruit that is not hairy and its leaves are comprised of three leaflets with bumpy edges. Poison ivy has green flowers.

Poison oak (Rhus toxicodendron) is often shrubby, although...

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