Home > Herbs > Toxicodendron

poison ivy

Toxicodendron · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (16 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Poison ivy, scientifically known as Toxicodendron, is a notorious plant renowned for its allergenic properties. Containing the potent oil urushiol, contact with its foliage triggers severe skin irritation and rashes. While widely feared by hikers, understanding its botanical characteristics and growth patterns is essential for safe outdoor navigation.

Family
Anacardiaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Poison Ivy · Poison Oak · 1 more
Scientific synonyms
Vernix · Augia · 1 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Toxicodendron

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

German:

  • Giftsumach

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Anacardiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Toxicodendron.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Sapindales
Family Anacardiaceae
Genus Toxicodendron

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across multiple continents and diverse climates. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented within the territories of Germany as well as the region encompassing Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species can be found growing in Italy. Its range further extends into the Russian Far East, specifically across the Kuril Islands. Finally, the plant is also established within the natural landscapes of Sakhalin.

Region Area
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Southeastern Europe Italy
Russian Far East Kuril Is.
Russian Far East Sakhalin
Central Asia Tadzhikistan
Central Asia Uzbekistan
China China South-Central
China Hainan
China Inner Mongolia

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Activities

Toxicodendron has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Contraceptive, Tonic.

Activities reported in Toxicodendron
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Contraceptive 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Tonic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Contraceptive

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tonic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Toxicodendron has 14 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include blood diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea.

Conditions investigated for Toxicodendron
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Blood diseases 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cancer 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cardiovascular diseases 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Diabetes mellitus 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Diarrhea 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Eye diseases 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Gastrointestinal diseases 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Inflammation 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Liver diseases 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Lung diseases 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Blood diseases

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cardiovascular diseases

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diabetes mellitus

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diarrhea

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Eye diseases

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gastrointestinal diseases

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Liver diseases

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lung diseases

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology