Eastern Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans
- Native to:
- Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
Hassan Albadawi
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Genus:
- Toxicodendron
- Species:
- Toxicodendron radicans
- USDA Symbol:
- TORA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub , Vine
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cameraria guttifinitella, Eutelia pulcherrimus, eyed paectes moth (Paectes oculatrix), Marathyssa basalis, Marathyssa inficita, Paectes occulatrix, Stigmella rhoifoliella, Sumac Leafblotch Miner Moth (Caloptilia rhoifoliella), White-lined leafroller (Amorbia humerosana)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Cameraria guttifinitella, Epipaschia superatalis, Stigmella rhoifoliella, Sumac Leafblotch Miner Moth (Caloptilia rhoifoliella) Butterflies:Wild Indigo Duskywing (Erynnis baptisiae), Zabulon Skipper (Lon zabulon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots following fire or mechanical disturbance. Fire top-kills but stimulates root sprouting.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.0 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in forested areas and along edges
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification followed by warm then cold stratification. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI