Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy)

[= Rhus radicans]

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids > Eurosid II > Order: Sapindales > Family: Anacardiaceae > Genus: Rhus

This climber has been accidentally introduced to South Africa, and although not naturalised, is encountered in Johannesburg.

Contact with the sap of Poison Ivy causes a severe skin reaction (dermatitis) in susceptible people and the reaction can persist for days. Leaves and fruit contain a poisonous resin and eating them causes an upset stomach and can even cause death.