Leaves of three — let them be! You've probably heard that little
rhyme about poison ivy, the plant that can cause an itchy rash.
But did you know that poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac
all contain the same rash-causing substance? It's called
urushiol (say: yoo-roo-shee-ol), a colorless, odorless oil
(called resin) contained in the leaves of the plants. Look Out
for Poison Plants These plants can be anywhere — from the woods
to your own backyard. The green leaves of poison plants blend
right in with other plants and brush, so it's possible to sit
down in a patch of poison ivy and not even notice. You might
notice later, of course, when you start to itch! And it's not
enough just to know what one kind of poison ivy looks like.
Poison ivy comes in several types — and may look different
depending on the time of year. The leaves of poison plants
release urushiol when they're "injured," meaning if they get
bumped, torn, or brushed up against. Once the urushiol has been
released, it can easily get on a person