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Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  Deborah Morrison
Date Submitted: 6/17/2003
Location: Long Island in New York

Question Asked: Hello, I live on Long Island in New York. I noticed the plant in the first three pictures hiding behind a tree in my back yard. I'm hoping it is not poison ivy because the middle leaf is kind of maple-leaf shaped, and the thick redish stalk is very hairy. Also, it does not look identical to the other four plants growing in other parts of my yard which I am fairly certain are of poison ivy plants. Pictures of them are also included. Thanks so much for your help!

Answer: Hi Deborah -

Looking closely at the plant in the first two pictures you can see bristles along the stem. This is some sort of bramble like maybe raspberry. Sorry I'm not specific but I haven't found a perfect match for the plant in my guides. The bristles are the key that this is not poison ivy. Leaflet shape too as the middle leaf looks to be heart-shaped in these pictures where poison ivy is egg-shaped.

For the bottom four pictures, yup you are right as that is poison ivy. There's a mix of other vines in here too including virginia creeper, english ivy, and some other common weeds.