Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.

Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
were from one plant - there was only one small root.

Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
- when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.

Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
related.

Ever hear of Virginia Creeper??

"fran" <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote in message
news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com...
> Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
> is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
>
> Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
> standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
> were from one plant - there was only one small root.
>
> Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
> - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
> I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
>
> Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
> 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
> forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
> everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
> called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
> related.

pixi wrote:
>
> Ever hear of Virginia Creeper??
>
> "fran" <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote in message
> news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com..
> > Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
> > is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
> >
> > Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
> > standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
> > were from one plant - there was only one small root.
> >
> > Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
> > - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
> > I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
> >
> > Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
> > 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
> > forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
> > everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
> > called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
> > related.

There's also Box Elder, a maple, that looks like poison ivy if you get its
3-leaf version, but usually has 5.

--
Ron Hardin
rhhardin [at] mindspring.com

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

In article <jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com>, fran1234
[at] volcanomail.com says...
:) Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
:) is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
:)
:) Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
:) standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
:) were from one plant - there was only one small root.
:)
:) Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
:) - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
:) I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
:)
:) Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
:) 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
:) forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
:) everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
:) called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
:) related.
:)


I've come across poison ivy with a 5 leaflet pattern a couple of times
over the years, it's more of a modified leaf of the bottom part of the
leaflet that gives it the 5 leaf look, as mentioned in another post box
elder saplings look exactly like poison ivy and will have 5 leaf mixed
with the 3 leaf pattern, but it will grow more upright and won't have
the clinging "hairs" as will the ivy.
--
Lar

It is said that the early bird gets the worm,
but it is the second mouse that gets the cheese.

"fran" <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote in message
news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com...
> Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
> is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
>
> Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
> standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
> were from one plant - there was only one small root.
>
> Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
> - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
> I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
>
> Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
> 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
> forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
> everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
> called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
> related.

virginia creeper

Believe me, it's not Virginia Creeper or Box Elder. This thing had the
standard 3-leaf vine (~2ft long) branching off the 5-leaf vine (~6
inches long). The 5-leaf also had the center leaf with symetrical
(sp?) notches and all 4 side leaves with the irregular notches (few on
the side closest to the middle, many on the side furthest from the
middle). And it was definately 5 seperate leaves.

Virginia Creeper has all 5 leaves with identical symetrical notches.

pixi wrote:
> Ever hear of Virginia Creeper??
>
> "fran" <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote in message
> news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com...
> > Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
> > is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
> >
> > Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
> > standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
> > were from one plant - there was only one small root.
> >
> > Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
> > - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
> > I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
> >
> > Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
> > 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
> > forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
> > everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
> > called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
> > related.

Believe me, it's not Virginia Creeper or Box Elder. This thing had the
standard 3-leaf vine (~2ft long) branching off the 5-leaf vine (~6
inches long). The 5-leaf also had the center leaf with symetrical
(sp?) notches and all 4 side leaves with the irregular notches (few on
the side closest to the middle, many on the side furthest from the
middle). And it was definately 5 seperate leaves.

Virginia Creeper has all 5 leaves with identical symetrical notches.

pixi wrote:
> Ever hear of Virginia Creeper??
>
> "fran" <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote in message
> news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com...
> > Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
> > is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
> >
> > Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
> > standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
> > were from one plant - there was only one small root.
> >
> > Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
> > - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
> > I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
> >
> > Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
> > 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
> > forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
> > everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
> > called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
> > related.

fran wrote:
> Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
> is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
>
> Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
> standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
> were from one plant - there was only one small root.
>
> Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
> - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
> I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
>
> Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
> 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
> forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
> everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
> called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
> related.

OH NO! If it crosses with Virginia Creeper, we'll never get it killed!

fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com wrote:

> Believe me, it's not Virginia Creeper or Box Elder. This thing had the
> standard 3-leaf vine (~2ft long) branching off the 5-leaf vine (~6
> inches long). The 5-leaf also had the center leaf with symetrical
> (sp?) notches and all 4 side leaves with the irregular notches (few on
> the side closest to the middle, many on the side furthest from the
> middle). And it was definately 5 seperate leaves.


Like this plant?
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/weeds/msg06200223301 52.html?11

Steve wrote:

> fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com wrote:
>
>> Believe me, it's not Virginia Creeper or Box Elder. This thing had the
>> standard 3-leaf vine (~2ft long) branching off the 5-leaf vine (~6
>> inches long). The 5-leaf also had the center leaf with symetrical
>> (sp?) notches and all 4 side leaves with the irregular notches (few on
>> the side closest to the middle, many on the side furthest from the
>> middle). And it was definately 5 seperate leaves.
>
>
>
> Like this plant?
> http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/weeds/msg06200223301 52.html?11

Well, I shouldn't have just left it like that. The pictures seem to be
Virginia Creeper (I guess) but that first picture appears to fit your
description of the notches being fewer on the inside.
I could go look closer at the Virginia Creeper in my yard but I recently
pulled most of it out (again). I've lived in the Adirondacks for nearly
30 years and I have never seen poison ivy here, though I am told it can
be found if you look in just the right places.

Steve

In article <1153244089.552658.226110 [at] 35g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>,
fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com says...
:) Believe me, it's not Virginia Creeper or Box Elder. This thing had the
:) standard 3-leaf vine (~2ft long) branching off the 5-leaf vine (~6
:) inches long). The 5-leaf also had the center leaf with symetrical
:) (sp?) notches and all 4 side leaves with the irregular notches (few on
:) the side closest to the middle, many on the side furthest from the
:) middle). And it was definately 5 seperate leaves.
:)
:) Virginia Creeper has all 5 leaves with identical symetrical notches.
:)
:) pixi wrote:
:) > Ever hear of Virginia Creeper??
:) >
:) > "fran" <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote in message
:) > news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com...
:) > > Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
:) > > is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
:) > >
:) > > Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
:) > > standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
:) > > were from one plant - there was only one small root.
:) > >
:) > > Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
:) > > - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
:) > > I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
:) > >
:) > > Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
:) > > 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
:) > > forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
:) > > everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
:) > > called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
:) > > related.
:)
:)
Here ya go Fran....found these this morning.
http://arrow-pestcontrol.com/PoisonIvy.htm
--
Lar

--
Lar

It is said that the early bird gets the worm,
but it is the second mouse that gets the cheese.

fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com Believe me, it's not Virginia Creeper or Box
Elder. This thing had the
standard 3-leaf vine (~2ft long) branching off the 5-leaf vine (~6
inches long). The 5-leaf also had the center leaf with symetrical
(sp?) notches and all 4 side leaves with the irregular notches (few on
the side closest to the middle, many on the side furthest from the
middle). And it was definately 5 seperate leaves.

Virginia Creeper has all 5 leaves with identical symetrical notches.

pixi wrote:
Ever hear of Virginia Creeper??

"fran" fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com wrote in message
news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com...
Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that
there
is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.

Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes,
they
were from one plant - there was only one small root.

Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just
now
- when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait
-
I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.

Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
related.


http://www.zanfel.com/help/rashfaq.html
http://tinyurl.com/oe5fb
http://tinyurl.com/ktev7
http://tinyurl.com/efu28
take a peek at these links and maybe it might clear things up
concerning whether there are more than three leaves on poison ivy.
cyaaa, sockiescat.


--
sockiescat

Young VC leaves are often only three leaved.


<fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote in message
news:1153244089.552658.226110 [at] 35g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Believe me, it's not Virginia Creeper or Box Elder. This thing had the
> standard 3-leaf vine (~2ft long) branching off the 5-leaf vine (~6
> inches long). The 5-leaf also had the center leaf with symetrical
> (sp?) notches and all 4 side leaves with the irregular notches (few on
> the side closest to the middle, many on the side furthest from the
> middle). And it was definately 5 seperate leaves.
>
> Virginia Creeper has all 5 leaves with identical symetrical notches.
>
> pixi wrote:
>> Ever hear of Virginia Creeper??
>>
>> "fran" <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote in message
>> news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com...
>> > Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
>> > is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
>> >
>> > Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
>> > standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
>> > were from one plant - there was only one small root.
>> >
>> > Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
>> > - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
>> > I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
>> >
>> > Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
>> > 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
>> > forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
>> > everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
>> > called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
>> > related.
>

Yeah, it looked like the second URL. Nasty crap, and it's all over the
place in NC. I have to keep pulling it up or killing it with RoundUp
because I'm severely allergic to it. I've gotten to the point I can
identify it with just a glance.

sockiescat wrote:
> fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com Believe me, it's not Virginia Creeper or Box
> Elder. This thing had the
> standard 3-leaf vine (~2ft long) branching off the 5-leaf vine (~6
> inches long). The 5-leaf also had the center leaf with symetrical
> (sp?) notches and all 4 side leaves with the irregular notches (few on
> the side closest to the middle, many on the side furthest from the
> middle). And it was definately 5 seperate leaves.
>
> Virginia Creeper has all 5 leaves with identical symetrical notches.
>
> pixi wrote:
> Ever hear of Virginia Creeper??
>
> "fran" fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com wrote in message
> news:jrcob21smke4q02h7ii1482dmprd0316c6 [at] 4ax.com...
> Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that
> there
> is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
>
> Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
> standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes,
> they
> were from one plant - there was only one small root.
>
> Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just
> now
> - when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait
> -
> I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
>
> Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
> 3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
> forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
> everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
> called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
> related.
>
>
> http://www.zanfel.com/help/rashfaq.html
> http://tinyurl.com/oe5fb
> http://tinyurl.com/ktev7
> http://tinyurl.com/efu28
> take a peek at these links and maybe it might clear things up
> concerning whether there are more than three leaves on poison ivy.
> cyaaa, sockiescat.
>
>
> --
> sockiescat

On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 01:06:29 GMT, fran
<fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote:

>Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
>is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
>
>Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
>standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
>were from one plant - there was only one small root.
>
>Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
>- when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
>I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
>
>Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
>3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
>forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
>everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
>called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
>related.

Call me skeptical, I'd want to see it myself to be sure :)

Virginia creeper has tendrils, Poison Ivy (PI) has aerial
rootlets. Think "hairy rope" when looking for a PI vine.
Look up tendrils and then aerial rootlets to see the
difference between them.

Box Elder (more properly called Ash leave Maple) has
opposite leaves. Usually only three leaflets on young trees
only 1-2 feet tall. Mature trees have 3-7 leaflets. PI
always has **alternate leaves**.

Here is some crappy ASCII art.

Opposite:

|
---|---
|
---|---
|
|

Alternate:

|
|---
|
---|
|
|---
|

There are only six other common species with three leaflets
and alternate leaves.

Poison Oak- questionable if it even differs from PI and
should be classified differently.

Fragrant Sumac - Could be confused with PI.

Cissus - much different.

Hoptree - not all that uncommon, but I've only seen it in
one particular area by me. Could be confused with PI.

Scotch Broom - much different.

Bicolor Lespedeza - much different.

Most of the common plants that look similar to PI have
opposite leaves and can be eliminated quickly with this
knowledge from a distance. The shape of the leaves, toothed,
smooth, irregular, is meaningless and not a good method for
identification of PI.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email

Leon Fisk wrote:

> On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 01:06:29 GMT, fran
> <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
>>is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
>>
>>Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
>>standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
>>were from one plant - there was only one small root.
>>
>>Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
>>- when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
>>I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
>>
>>Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
>>3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
>>forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
>>everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
>>called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
>>related.
>
>
> Call me skeptical, I'd want to see it myself to be sure :)
>
> Virginia creeper has tendrils, Poison Ivy (PI) has aerial
> rootlets. Think "hairy rope" when looking for a PI vine.
> Look up tendrils and then aerial rootlets to see the
> difference between them.
>
> Box Elder (more properly called Ash leave Maple) has
> opposite leaves. Usually only three leaflets on young trees
> only 1-2 feet tall. Mature trees have 3-7 leaflets. PI
> always has **alternate leaves**.
>
> Here is some crappy ASCII art.
>
> Opposite:
>
> |
> ---|---
> |
> ---|---
> |
> |
>
> Alternate:
>
> |
> |---
> |
> ---|
> |
> |---
> |
>
> There are only six other common species with three leaflets
> and alternate leaves.
>
> Poison Oak- questionable if it even differs from PI and
> should be classified differently.
>
> Fragrant Sumac - Could be confused with PI.
>
> Cissus - much different.
>
> Hoptree - not all that uncommon, but I've only seen it in
> one particular area by me. Could be confused with PI.
>
> Scotch Broom - much different.
>
> Bicolor Lespedeza - much different.
>
> Most of the common plants that look similar to PI have
> opposite leaves and can be eliminated quickly with this
> knowledge from a distance. The shape of the leaves, toothed,
> smooth, irregular, is meaningless and not a good method for
> identification of PI.
>

Leon,
You are going to seriously confuse those people who don't know the
difference between leaves and leaflets.
You always hear that poison ivy has 3 leaves, right? How often is is
described as having 3 leaflets? Not very often, by comparison.

Steve
PS I could tell a story about a woman who worked for the cooperative
extension in my county. She just couldn't understand the concept of
pruning tomato plants when grown on a stake. We finally realized that
the problem was she didn't understand that tomato leaves have leaflets.

On Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:42:45 -0400, Steve <tlswilso [at] aol.com>
wrote:

>Leon Fisk wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 01:06:29 GMT, fran
>> <fran1234 [at] volcanomail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Well, I was vindicated today. For years I have maintained that there
>>>is a 5-leaf version of poison ivy and no-one believed me.
>>>
>>>Today I pulled up a poison ivy vine by the roots, and found both the
>>>standard 3-leaflet sets *and* the 5-leaflet sets on it! And yes, they
>>>were from one plant - there was only one small root.
>>>
>>>Silly me, though, I didn't think to take a photo of it until just now
>>>- when it's already met it's fate. Oh well, I'll just have to wait -
>>>I'm sure I'll find the (#&%&^% stuff again.
>>>
>>>Just in case you're curious, the 5-leaflet set looks like the
>>>3-leaflet set, except there are 2 more small leaves on the outside
>>>forming a neat circle of leaves. The notches are the same and
>>>everything. This version looks verrry like another vine that is
>>>called wandering jenny, as I recall. Makes me wonder if they are
>>>related.
>>
>>
>> Call me skeptical, I'd want to see it myself to be sure :)
>>
>> Virginia creeper has tendrils, Poison Ivy (PI) has aerial
>> rootlets. Think "hairy rope" when looking for a PI vine.
>> Look up tendrils and then aerial rootlets to see the
>> difference between them.
>>
>> Box Elder (more properly called Ash leave Maple) has
>> opposite leaves. Usually only three leaflets on young trees
>> only 1-2 feet tall. Mature trees have 3-7 leaflets. PI
>> always has **alternate leaves**.
>>
>> Here is some crappy ASCII art.
>>
>> Opposite:
>>
>> |
>> ---|---
>> |
>> ---|---
>> |
>> |
>>
>> Alternate:
>>
>> |
>> |---
>> |
>> ---|
>> |
>> |---
>> |
>>
>> There are only six other common species with three leaflets
>> and alternate leaves.
>>
>> Poison Oak- questionable if it even differs from PI and
>> should be classified differently.
>>
>> Fragrant Sumac - Could be confused with PI.
>>
>> Cissus - much different.
>>
>> Hoptree - not all that uncommon, but I've only seen it in
>> one particular area by me. Could be confused with PI.
>>
>> Scotch Broom - much different.
>>
>> Bicolor Lespedeza - much different.
>>
>> Most of the common plants that look similar to PI have
>> opposite leaves and can be eliminated quickly with this
>> knowledge from a distance. The shape of the leaves, toothed,
>> smooth, irregular, is meaningless and not a good method for
>> identification of PI.
>>
>
>Leon,
>You are going to seriously confuse those people who don't know the
>difference between leaves and leaflets.
>You always hear that poison ivy has 3 leaves, right? How often is is
>described as having 3 leaflets? Not very often, by comparison.
>
>Steve
>PS I could tell a story about a woman who worked for the cooperative
>extension in my county. She just couldn't understand the concept of
>pruning tomato plants when grown on a stake. We finally realized that
>the problem was she didn't understand that tomato leaves have leaflets.

Hi Steve,

Well if they get a bit confused they'll just have to look up
a few things now won't they :) I little bit of knowledge
never hurt anyone, did it?

The link you posted earlier was good. The third picture has
an obvious tendril though, not PI. I noticed too that the
overall appearance to the stem just didn't look right to me
either for it to be PI. It is always much easier when you
have the real specimen too.

If a person can just remember alternate leaves and aerial
rootlets it will save you a whole lot of grief.

PI has been expanding around me. It is almost everywhere I
go now, or would like to go. Ugh!

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
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