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Key identifying traits
Leaves are alternate, compound in groups of three, somewhat shiny
and often drooping
Flowers are small and yellowish-green; bloom time is generally in
May and June
The inconspicuous flowers are composed of 5 sepals, 5 petals , 5
stamens and a single pistil
Fruit is a globe-shaped, creamy-white, waxy berry; each pod has one
round, white & gray striped seed
Leaves turn bright red in the fall
Biology and ecology
- It is a perennial native of North America
- Reproduces by seed, rhizomes, and rooting of the stem nodes; birds
eat the berries and spread seed
- Can grow as either a shrub or a climbing vine
- It thrives under a wide variety of conditions
- Contact with the plant can cause severe itching; skin becomes red
and blistered within 24 hours
- Toxic properties and rhizomes make control difficult
- Often confused with Poison Oak, a similar species usually found on
the west side of the state
Control
Prevention Learn to
identify plants; know your property; dont let birds fly over your
property
Biological No known biological agents yet
Cultural Good vegetative cover helps but does not prevent
establishment or spread
Mechanical Cutting will not achieve control due to the
underground root system; burning is dangerous as it releases the toxins
into the air; repeated cultivation can be effective
Chemical Several effective but may require repeat treatments;
timing depends on chemical used;
refer to the
PNW Weed Management Handbook for specific chemical recommendations |
"Leaves of three,
let them be"
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