Poison ivy climbs a tree trunk. Leave poison ivy undisturbed because all parts of the plant are poisonous.

Many of us are spending more time out of doors this summer, but can you determine if the vine you encounter is the notorious poison ivy?

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is a native species primarily found along open edges of a variety of habitats including wooded areas, fields, thickets, fence rows, trails and disturbed areas.

Poison ivy often grows as a vine. However, it may grow as a small shrub, as a single-stem plant, or clump of plants, but always has three leaflets and an oil that causes an allergic reaction in humans.

This is an excerpt of a story that appears in Sunday's Butler Eagle.