Poison Oak Vs Poison Ivy: What's The Difference?

Poison oak and poison ivy are two types of plants that most people fear because one brief encounter with either can leave skin covered in an itchy rash and painful blisters (via Healthline). An oil called urushiol found on both plants is responsible for the rash, and no part of the plants are safe to touch, including the bark, roots, and berries. Poison oak and poison ivy grow throughout the United States all year round, and they are toxic all year round as well. So how can you tell the difference between these poisonous plants?

Poison ivy can either be a shrub or vine. As a vine, it grows along the ground, clinging to shrubs and other structures. The leaves on the stems appear in groups of three. They are glossy, and the edges can be smooth or slightly jagged. They also have some seasonal features to keep in mind. Tiny, off-white buds will appear around the leaves in the spring. During the fall, the leaves may take on a yellow, orange, or red color. In the winter, the leaves become more red and shriveled.

Poison oak also has groups of three leaves on its vines. However, it can have up to seven leaves in a cluster. The leaves can sometimes be fuzzy, and they have more rounded edges, resembling oak leaves. They turn reddish in the fall, and per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can have small berries on the stems.