Frequent wildflower of moist woods and thickets in the bluegrass. Small lavender flowers, arranged in a cluster, appear in May, with small alternating appendages between sepals. Broad maple-shaped leaf with pale mottling. Common ivy-like plant found in all parts of Kentucky. Infamous for its poisonous resin, which causes moderate to severe irritation to skin.
Fruit is a cluster of pale white berries.
Exotic species problematic to many parks and backyards. Quick growing bushy tree. Leaves oppositely arranged, simple, with lightly serrated margin. Produces flowers with deep corolla tube and exerted stamens. Creates difficulties for native plant communities because it can often out-compete native species for resources, and often lacks the population controlling mechanisms of its home community.