Poison Ivy Changes Color in Autumn
If you hike a lot or walk in parks, you probably remember what poison ivy looks like, and if not, you should. The flyers are grouped in threes, let it be, and all that. But when summer turns into autumn, an important change should be noted: Poison ivy can change color, like leaves on trees.
Even when the leaves are yellow or red, they can still contain an irritating oil (urushiol) that causes the infamous poison ivy rash. All other distinctive features of the plant are still preserved: leaves in alternating groups of three, growing along the ground or up the tree on a hairy vine, and in the eastern United States even growing in the form of a bush.
Regardless of the color of the leaves, poison ivy can cause a rash if the oil is left on the skin for several hours. If you suspect you have encountered it, wash the skin as soon as possible with soap that may have come into contact with the plant.