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Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  Jennie Owens
Date Submitted: 6/15/2003
Location: not given

Question Asked: This has popped up all over my yard. Shape and red stem makes me suspicious - what is it?

Answer: Hi Jennie -

The pictures are not clear enough for me but at first glance this appears to be virginia creeper. Virginia creeper has 3 to 5 leaflets which joined at one point on the leafstalk. This configuration resembles the palm of the hand with fingers radiating out from the "palm" or center. This is a relatively harmless plant though in a small percentage of people this plant can cause an rash.