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You are here: Home / Animals / Is Poison Ivy a Member of the Regular Ivy Plant Family and what is the Difference?

Is Poison Ivy a Member of the Regular Ivy Plant Family and what is the Difference?

June 25, 2020 by Karen Hill

Can our English ivy cross-pollinate with the poison variety?

No, they belong to two separate plant families, despite the similar name English ivy belongs to the ginseng family and is considered true ivy. As nutty as this may seem, poison ivy is a member of the edible cashew family.

The shells of the cashew nut also contain oils that can cause an allergic reaction, as do the rind of the mango and the ginkgo tree—two other members of this same family.

Another odd classification is kudzu, the out-of-control Japanese ground cover that has taken over the southern United States.

It’s not an ivy, either, despite some visual similarities. It’s a member of the pea family.

Related Facts

  • How Does Ivy Destroy the Mortar Between Bricks Chemically and Physically and How Old is Ivy League Ivy?
  • How is Poison Ivy Beneficial to Anyone besides being the Incessant Pest to Gardeners, Hikers, and Children?
  • What Makes Poison Ivy Poisonous and How Does Urushiol Irritate the Skin and Cause an Itchy Rash?
  • Why Is Poison Ivy Poisonous?
  • How Long does it take for a Rash to Appear after Contact with Poison Ivy?
  • Is Poison Ivy the Only Dangerous Plant?

Filed Under: Animals

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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