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Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  Kim Frye
Date Submitted: 7/7/2003
Location: Johnson county Kansas

Question Asked: These pictures are of the backyard. It seems to not be picky on where it goes and doesn't need much attention. We didn't take notice of it until the rashes came on. Please tell me what you think and I do appreciate yout time and knowledge. We are in Johnson county Kansas. Please help :)

Answer: Hi Kim -

Yeah - that's poison ivy and quite a batch of it. You are right as the plant isn't that picky - it grows wherever it can. The first picture I'd say is the more "classic" as you see the plant climbing a "host" tree. I'd like to see the stem for an absolute positive id but given what we are seeing in the picture, it's a pretty safe bet its poison ivy. The second picture is much better as we can see more of the poison ivy plants including woody stem. I see a bit of other plants trying to peek out including virginia creeper (lower right corner), some sort of ivy (english maybe?), and is that a little vinca there in the lower middle? that one is too hard to tell.