PLANT FIELD GUIDE PROFILE
Pacific poison oak
Toxicodendron diversilobum
A native shrub or climbing vine whose oil can cause allergic skin reactions.
Compare reference photographs
in the linked sources below.
What to look for
- Usually three leaflets per leaf
- Leaflet margins may be smooth, wavy, or lobed
- Deciduous: bare stems may be present in winter
Look-alikes & identification limits
Other three-leaflet plants. Seasonal changes and variable leaf shape can make identification difficult.
Growth & persistence
A woody perennial with extensive roots and underground stems.
Management considerations
Assess location and exposure risk before deciding whether to retain or manage it. Plan any work to prevent contact and contaminated equipment.
Ecology & landscape context
Native status and human-contact risk are separate considerations; a native plant is not automatically a weed.
Use multiple identifying features and a reliable reference. This guide does not establish that a plant is edible or safe to touch, nor does it certify a property’s fire compliance. Request a site assessment before disturbing unknown or hazardous plants.