Toxicodendron pubescens Mill.

Poison Oak

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Poison Oak is a native deciduous woody sub-shrub in the Sumac family (Anacardiaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Poison Oak occurs in scrub oak woods, in dry pine forests, in sandhills, and in other open xeric sites. It is and erect sub-shrub reaching 2-3 feet in height. On rare occasions it may appear vine-like. Poison Oak is rhizomatous and often forms large colonies. The young stems are green or reddish in color and slightly pubescent. Older stems are gray to brown in color and pubescent. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, and 3-foliate. The leaves are often crowded near the ends of the erect stems. Leaflets are ovate to elliptic in outline, with lobed or toothed margins. The leaflets often resemble the leaves of White Oak (Quercus alba). The terminal leaflet stalk is longer than the stalks of the lateral leaflets. The leaves are dark or yellowish green in color and pubescent on both surfaces. They are often thick and leathery in texture. The leaves turn bright red or orange before falling in the autumn. Flowers are produced in panicles from the axils of the leaves. The individual flowers have 5 greenish sepals, 5 yellow-green petals, and 5 stamens. The filaments of the stamens are green and the anthers are yellow. The fruit is a white drupe. The fruit is consumed by a wide variety of birds who spread the seed far and wide. Many people suffer allergic dermatitis from this plant. The urushiol in the plants sap causes an itchy blistering rash. This gave rise to the familiar saying “Leaflets three, let it be”. Infection can occur from direct contact with the plant (even in winter), cross contamination from clothing, garden tools, or camping gear that have come in contact with the plant, or from smoke when the plant is burned.—A. Diamond

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Native

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