Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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Mal lau Rhu aro Rhu int Rhu ova Rhu tri Sch mol Sch ter Toxicodendron diversilobum  <

Poison Oak
Toxicodendron diversilobum

Family: Anacardiaceae (SUMAC, CASHEW).
Other common names: Pacific poison oak, western poison oak.
Generic common name: POISON OAK, POISON IVY.

Circle X Ranch: Grotto Trail, riparian woodland, March 2004.

Characteristics: Native, White, Small, Clusters, Simple, Woody, Perennial, Early Spring.

Dry bare twigs. 		Thumbnail Picture of Toxicodendron diversilobum



Expect Poison Oak in shaded and sheltered areas. It is often under trees and along the banks of streams. In the winter it loses its leaves but the bare stems are potent irritants as well. It is a fast growing plant and is frequently one of the first to crowd the margins of a trail once vegetation starts to close in again.

Remember the jingles
“Leaves of Three: Leave It Be”
and
“Berries White: Awful Sight.”


Small white flowers in the Spring (these are male.)





Female.







There is a huge variation in leaf size and shape.









The leaves are often shiny (unless covered with dust.)


New leaves are often reddish.



An unusual plant having some leaves with more than three leaflets.



When it takes the form of a climbing vine it can appear overhead on trails by dropping down from above.





A large tree inundated by vines.



When the vines become long they can grow to a good girth.





Dense, thick growth along both sides of a trail.



Fall colors and white berries.










Compared to Basket Brush






Compared to Leather Root






Compared to California Blackberry






Compared to California-tea






Compared to Virgins Bower






Mixed With Virgin's Bower on Toyon






Detailed description from UCLA website (in PDF format)




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