Eastern Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is in the Cashew Family family (Anacardiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 876 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Eastern Poison Ivy: observations by month (U.S.)
About Eastern Poison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicans, commonly known as eastern poison ivy or poison ivy, is a poisonous Asian and Eastern North American flowering plant that is well-known for causing Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, an itchy, irritating, and sometimes painful rash in most people who touch it. It is caused by urushiol, a clear liquid compound in the plant's sap. The species is variable in its appearance and habit, and despite its common name it is not a true ivy (Hedera),...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Eastern Poison Ivy by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 118 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Pennsylvania | 77 | May | May–Jun |
| Virginia | 63 | May | May–May |
| Florida | 59 | March | Feb–Mar |
| Massachusetts | 54 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New York | 47 | May | May–Jun |
| Maryland | 44 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 44 | May | May–May |
| Alabama | 34 | April | Apr–May |
| Georgia | 33 | April | Mar–May |
| Mississippi | 27 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Louisiana | 24 | April | Apr–Apr |
| North Carolina | 23 | April | Apr–May |
| Ohio | 21 | May | May–Jun |
| Tennessee | 21 | April | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 20 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Arkansas | 16 | May | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 15 | June | May–Jun |
| West Virginia | 15 | May | May–Jun |
| Indiana | 14 | May | May–Jun |
| Kentucky | 14 | May | May–May |
| Maine | 14 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Michigan | 13 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Connecticut | 11 | June | Jun–Jun |
| District of Columbia | 11 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 10 | May | May–Jun |
| Oklahoma | 9 | May | May–May |
| Delaware | 5 | May | May–May |
| Rhode Island | 5 | June | May–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Cashew Family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Eastern Poison Ivy?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to June.
Where is Eastern Poison Ivy most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia.