Pacific Poison Oak
Scientific Name: Toxicodendron diversilobum
Alternate Name(s): poison oak
Distribution: western North America from Canada south to California
Habitat: forests, streambanks, damp areas
Height: up to 2 meters
Bark: grayish
Leaves: 8-15 centimeters long; shiny, dark green on top; turns red in fall; undersides light green and finely haired; toothed or lobed edges; arranged alternately on branches in groups of 3
Flowers: bloom April to May; small, white; 5 petals and 5 stamens
Fruit: round, brown or whitish berries
Caution: This plant is toxic. It produces an oil called urushiol, which causes a blistery, oozing, extremely itchy rash when in comes in contact with skin. When breathed in as smoke, it can cause severe eye and lung irritation. Dead plants are still poisonous.
Alternate Name(s): poison oak
Distribution: western North America from Canada south to California
Habitat: forests, streambanks, damp areas
Height: up to 2 meters
Bark: grayish
Leaves: 8-15 centimeters long; shiny, dark green on top; turns red in fall; undersides light green and finely haired; toothed or lobed edges; arranged alternately on branches in groups of 3
Flowers: bloom April to May; small, white; 5 petals and 5 stamens
Fruit: round, brown or whitish berries
Caution: This plant is toxic. It produces an oil called urushiol, which causes a blistery, oozing, extremely itchy rash when in comes in contact with skin. When breathed in as smoke, it can cause severe eye and lung irritation. Dead plants are still poisonous.