Poison ivy is native throughout the United States and much of southern Canada and can be found in a wide variety of locations including dry or wet woodlands, thickets, valleys, clearings, fence rows, roadsides and waste ground. It can appear as a bushy, erect or trailing shrub in sunny areas or as a woody climbing vine
Although this plant can cause severe skin irritations on some people, the fruits are readily eaten by songbirds and woodpeckers. When possible LEAVE IT BE! White-tailed deer and rabbits browse the plant and reptiles and amphibians use it for shelter. The flowers are pollinated by and act as a food source for a wide variety of insects
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
All parts of poison-ivy contain resinous compounds called urushiols, the highest concentrations in the leaves and bark as well as younger leaves. When urushiols directly come into contact with the skin or are inhaled via smoke, they cause inflammation, itching, and blistering. The skin irritation is significant and long-lasting for most humans
My Native Garden
Put together a printable/downloadable list of plants that you have in your garden.