Leaves of Three, Let it Be?

With the weather warming up, many hikers, especially parent hikers, might be wary of poison ivy along the trails.  But, what does it look like?  Can we safely identify it amongst the other "leaves of three; let it be"? 

Here some three-leaved plants that might be confused with poison ivy:

1.  Wild  Strawberry 

Wild Strawberry



Leaves:

long hairy stalks with toothed teeth

Edible? Toxicity?

Edible fruit and edible fresh or dried leaves.  Partially wilted leaves have been known to contain toxins.  Many people are allergic to the strawberry fruit, so be aware of your child's allergies to common foods.

2.   Trillium  

Leaves of White Trillium (Trillium Grandiflorum)



Leaves:

in a whorl of 3; almost stalkless; broadly diamond-shaped, slim, or mottled green with white; smooth edges 

Edible? Toxicity?

No known allergens

Purple Trillium or Purple Wake Robin

Mottled Leaves of Toad Trillium

 

3.  Jack-in-the-Pulpit 

Leaves and Flower of Jack-in-the-Pulpit



Leaves: 

usually appear with 2 leaves per plant , each with 3 leaflets; dullish green; each leaflet with a middle vein with many branches; each leaflet is usually rounder at base with a narrow point

Edible? Toxicity?

This plant is poisonous only if ingested.  Touching the plant does not seem to cause any known allergic reaction.

 

4.  Beech (young emerging leaves) 

Young, glossy beech leaves not leaves of three

Leaves:

The leaf at the very tip of a branch on many trees, including beech, are single leaves.  Because they do not have an opposite or alternate pair, the first three leaves a the tip of many branches might look like a trio of sorts.  Fear not!  If it grows on a tree with a trunk and is way above ground, it is not poison ivy.

5.  Poison Ivy



Poison Ivy leaves close to the ground

Leaves:

bright, glossy green (newest leaflets can be reddish brown); 3 oval leaflets; each leaflet entirely or partly teethed coarsely.  Trailing like a vine or in a small shrub.

Edible? Toxicity?

Do not eat this plant.  It contains an oily resin that causes a nasty skin reaction when touvhed.  Many people are very sensitive to poison ivy resin.  The resin is not airborne, but it can be carried on clothing, pet fur, tools, and even smoke particles from burning plants. REMOVAL of resin by washing with a strong soap.  The liquid that oozes from the skin does not contain the allergen. 

Red or Meadow Clover

6.  Clover

Leaves: 

on a low-lying bush, alternate leaves with 3 leaflets; sometimes stalked leaves; some leaves green while some have a white V-pattern 

Edible?  Toxicity? 

can be eaten raw or cooked; high in protein.  Known to cause bloating or to contain toxic alkaloids.





Note:  This information on plants with "Leaves of Three"  is not to be considered a professional opinion on plant toxicity.  Please consult your doctor when seeking to understand your child's allergies.  Consult a professional for more information on which plants might pose a danger to your child while on the trail.