How does poison ivy form?

Question

Is poison ivy a weed or a plant? Can it form anywhere and how does it form?

Answer 1

A weed is just a plant growing where you don't want it, from the gardener's point of view that is.  As my grandmother always says "A rose is a weed if it grows in a corn field."  Poison Ivy likes to grow in shady areas, especially around the base of trees and other plants.  Just look for the trademark three shiny leaves.

Answer 2

It is a plant and a weed.  A weed is any plant you don't want.  Poison ivy will develop berries that the birds eat and then spread the seeds to grow more poison ivy.   It can grow almost anywhere.  It likes sun or shade.  

Answer 3

Further, it can grow as a vine, a ground cover, or a small shrub.  

Its leaves have an oily substance that permits them to defend against most weed killers.  Experts say you might mix a teaspoon of liquid detergent with your weed killer in a pump-up sprayer to help penetrate the surface oil on the leaves.

You can now purchase a poison ivy specific herbacide at hardware stores.