Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Monday - June 15, 2009
From: Hilliard, OH
Region: Midwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Poison ivy in Hilliard OH?
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I found a plant with five jagged leaves growing close to the ground in the trees of Ohio. Is this poison ivy or a similar plant?ANSWER:
We really don't know which plant you have, and are going to find some that are native to Ohio in our Native Plant Database, refer you to their webpages and give you some pictures to look at. If that still doesn't answer your question, go to our Ask Mr. Smarty Plants page for instructions on submitting a picture. Also, follow the instructions on describing where the plant is growing, berries, flowers, etc., and we will try to identify it for you.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) - five leaflets, occasionally 3 or 7, sometimes mistaken for poison ivy
Parthenocissus vitacea (woodbine) - closely related and very similar to Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) - pictures
Toxicodendron radicans (eastern poison ivy) - presents itself several different ways
Vitis labrusca (fox grape) - pictures
More Plant Identification Questions
Clarification for botanical (Latin) names for Herbertia
June 17, 2010 - I am looking for a clarification of scientific names. In the classic wildflower book 'Wildflowers of Texas' the author, Geyata Ajilvsgi, attributes the plant Herbertia with the name Alophia drummon...
view the full question and answer
How to tell Monarda citriodora from Monarda punctata.
September 18, 2015 - Hello! I'm wondering if you could clarify the differences between Monarda citriodora and Monarda punctata. Perhaps they do a lot of hybridizing, but I have plenty of conflicting info on...
view the full question and answer
Sumac Leaves Turning Red
November 22, 2013 - Hi, Mr. Smarty Plants,
I recently planted a flowering sumac bush. Is it normal for that plant to get fall leaf-color?
About a week after planting it, the temp reached the mid-30s, and after that, I ...
view the full question and answer
Are Brown-eyed susans and Black-eyed susans the same species?
December 02, 2014 - Are Brown eyed Susans the same as the Black-eyed Susan? I've read that they are both common names for the same plant, but the flower looks slightly different in different regions. Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Plant ID from San Marcos TX
June 07, 2014 - My dogs love to eat the leaves of a certain little orange wildflower. It might be Wedelia or Texas creeping oxeye. Have you ever heard of this?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |