How to Identify Poison Ivy

If you don’t use organic lawn weed control, you may have noticed some common lawn weeds sprouting in your yard. All lawn weeds can be unsightly and create problems in your grass, but poison ivy can also cause problems on your skin.

You recognize the reaction to poison ivy instantly, but how do you identify the weed itself?

What Poison Ivy Looks Like

The best way to identify poison ivy is by its three leaflets. The leaflets can vary in appearance, but they all taper to a point at the end. The ends can be smooth or have ragged edges that look like teeth. Poison ivy leaflets can be glossy or flat, and size can vary quite a bit. The middle leaflet usually has a much longer stalk than the other two.

Poison ivy’s appearance changes by season. In the spring, leaflets are red and orange. In the summer, they are green and may have small yellow-green flowers. In the fall, you see red, orange, and yellow leaflets. The leaves drop in the winter, but poison ivy can also form small white berries that remain on the stems, even throughout winter.

Poison ivy can look like a shrub or a vine. Older plants have stems that appear hairy and fibrous. These stems can help you identify poison ivy in the winter when the leaves have fallen off. Never disregard poison ivy because the leaves are missing – it can still give you a mean rash.

Where Poison Ivy Grows

Poison ivy favors partial to full sun, but it can also grow in the shade. Poison ivy typically grows along fences and rock walls. It is common in landscapes or wooded areas, especially closer to the edge of a forest. If you have a Nashville lawn care company mowing your turf regularly, you will unlikely have poison ivy in your yard.

How to Remove Poison Ivy

If you find poison ivy in your yard, contact an organic lawn care company to remove it. Just brushing against a poison ivy plant can cause itchy and raised skin, so it’s best to leave removal to the professionals.

If you do remove the weed on your own, always wear thick gloves. When disposing of the plant, never burn it. Inhaling the smoke from burning poison ivy can cause serious, even deadly, effects. If the poison ivy plants are older and have already formed thick, woody stems, call a professional. A lawn care company can use the appropriate weed control to eliminate poison ivy while minimizing damage to the rest of your lawn and plants.

While Pure Green does not remove poison ivy from lawns, we do offer natural lawn care solutions and weed control that can prevent poison ivy from taking over your lawn. If that interests you, please give our Nashville lawn care company a call at 615-988-6777 or click here for a free online estimate.