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Toxicodendron diversilobum (Torr. & Gray) Greene

Pacific poison oak, Western Poison Oak

Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)

USDA Symbol: todi

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An erect or spreading shrub or a climbing vine with 3-parted leaves and brown or whitish berries. Western Poison Oak is not a true oak, but a close relative of Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Poison Ivy also has 3-part compound leaves, but the leaflets are not lobed and have more slender, pointed tips. Poison Ivy replaces Poison Oak east of the Pacific Coast region. Poison Oak is so widespread and common in California that it almost qualifies as the state shrub. Anyone spending time in the lowlands and foothills of the state should learn to recognize the plant and avoid it at all costs. Livestock and deer commonly browse the plant without ill effect.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub , Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate
Leaf Shape: Obovate , Ovate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Margin: Lobed
Size Notes: 3-10 foot shrub or climbing vine.
Leaf: Reddish-green early then green, brilliant red or yellow in fall.
Fruit: Grayish-white.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Flower inconspicuous.

Distribution

USA: CA , NV , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Washington to Baja California, east to Arizona.
Native Habitat: Shady to open woods, streambanks, thickets in damp bottomlands.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Benefit

Warning: All parts toxic.
Interesting Foliage: yes

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Toxicodendron diversilobum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Toxicodendron diversilobum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Toxicodendron diversilobum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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