“Leaves of three must look like me.”
Each of us carries around a fool-proof poison ivy identification tool: our upper body shape. Our head, neck and arms are all connected to our body.
Likewise,the poison ivy’s three leaves are connected to the stem of the plant in the same way a human’s head and arms are connected to the body, and in the same position as well. Using this simple physical reminder, we can always identify a poison ivy leaf; hence “Leaves of three must look like me.”
Remember: a person is a person whether they are right side-up or upside-down; the same holds true for poison ivy leaves.
In the poison ivy leaf pictured above, can you identify the ‘head’, ‘neck’ and ‘arms’ of the leaf? (look closely…)
In the poison ivy leaf pictured above, can you identify the ‘head’, ‘neck’ and ‘arms’ of the leaf? (look closely…)
On the right, the lighter and smaller plant is a poison ivy seedling. Notice the ‘head’, a small ‘neck’ (like a baby) and two ‘arms’. To the left and top are mature poison ivy leaves. Please show your skills by identifying their head, neck and arms.
Congratulations for learning this invaluable identification tool! Now you are ready to avoid them, wherever they may be!