What does poison ivy look like? How to spot the itchy plant and others like it

Summer is finally here, so that means it's time for hikes in woods and trips into the outdoors.

But if you're not careful, you might come across an unwelcomed part of nature — poison ivy.

So before you go outside, here are some tips on how to avoid the itch-inducing plant and others like it.

What is poison ivy?

Poison ivy is a common poisonous plant that causes an itchy skin rash when contacted, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The plant produces an oily sap that contains urushiol, which causes an irritating, itchy allergic reaction. You can develop a rash after touching poison ivy or an object that has come into contact with the plant.

What does poison ivy look like?

As a common saying goes, "leaves of three, let it be." Poison ivy leaves turn reddish in the spring, green in the summer and yellow, orange or red in the fall.

It grows in the Eastern U.S. as a shrub or a vine, which is hairy and ropelike. In the Western U.S., it grows low to the ground as a shrub, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

What do poison oak and poison sumac look like?

Poison oak leaves have three leaflets like poison ivy but with rounded tips. The undersides of the leaves are fuzzy and lighter in color than the top, the Cleveland Clinic said.

Meanwhile, poison sumac looks different because it has clusters of seven to 13 smooth leaflets arraigned in pairs. It grows as a tree, and when fully grown, it can reach up to 20 feet tall.

What causes a poison ivy rash?

As with poison oak and sumac, poison ivy produces urushiol oil that causes an allergic reaction to almost anyone who touches it. The itchy rash that develops is a type of allergic contact dermatitis, the Cleveland Clinic said.

What are poison ivy symptoms?

• An itchy skin rash

• Redness and swelling

• Blisters

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What does poison ivy look like? How to spot the itchy plant