Atlantic Poison Oak vs Eastern Poison Ivy
This guide is under construction and has not been published yet. It may have errors. When in doubt, double-check other sources for definitive ID.These species are visually-similar, and the range of T. radicans contains nearly the entire range of T. pubescens. They can usually be easily distinguished by differences in growth habit and leaf shape. T. radicans ranges farther north and west and ranges into moister habitats with richer soil. T. pubescens is more tolerant of dry, rocky or sandy soils, and is also more restricted to such habitats.
Atlantic Poison Oak (Toxicodendron pubescens) | Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) |
A low-growing, rhizomatous shrub favoring dry, infertile soils, native to the southeastern to south-central US. | A perennial woody vine that can cause an unpleasant and dangerous allergic reaction following contact with its sap. Widespread and abundant in much of its range, and highly variable in appearance. |
 Leaflets are more blunt-tipped, making either an obtuse, or broader acute angle. Leaflets are never long-acuminate. Lobes, if present, are also broader-tipped. Photo © Ashwin Srinivasan, CC BY 4.0. |  Leaflets are sharper-tipped and are often long-acuminate, tapering to a long, narrow point. Lobes, if present, make narrower angles and may also taper to a point. Photo © John Baur, CC BY 4.0. |
 Plants grow as a small shrub, supporting their own weight and not climbing. Photo © Leila Dasher, CC BY 4.0. |  Plants may grow as a small shrub, but often climb using aerial rootlets. Photo © botanygirl (iNaturalist), CC BY 4.0. |
 Young leaves are densely covered in fine hairs throughout, initially looking velvety. Hairs wear off or become less visible on mature leaves. Photo © ian bullock, CC BY 4.0. |  Hairs on young leaves are sparser, but tend to be longer, and are more concentrated along veins and leaf margins. Hairs similarly become less visible on mature leaves. Photo © Adam Kranz, Public Domain. |
 Surface of fruit is consistently pubescent (covered in hairs) and hairs are longer. Photo © Daniel Washburn, CC BY 4.0. |  Surface of fruit may be pappilose (covered in short, rounded bumps), scabrous (rough from short, stiff hairs) or puberulent (covered in fine, short hairs) so hairs, if present, are shorter. Photo © Tom Field, CC BY 4.0. |
References & External Resources
These short lists show only links helpful for ID. For a complete list of references and resources also covering other aspects of ecology, visit the links section of the full article on each plant, which is the first entry here.
