Eastern Poison Oak Toxicodendron pubescens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rhus acutiloba
- Rhus quercifolia
- Rhus radicans var. pubescens
- Rhus radicans var. toxicodendron
- Rhus toxicarium
- Rhus toxicodendron
- Toxciodendron quercifolium
- Toxicodendron toxicarium
- Toxicodendron toxicodendron
- Phonetic Spelling
- toks-ee-ko-DEN-dron pew-BES-ens
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Poison Oak is a native, deciduous, erect, low-growing shrub. It is a member of the Anacardiaceae or Sumac family. The shrub can grow up to 10 feet tall but usually averages 2-4 feet in height. Other common names include Atlantic Poison Oak and Eastern Poison Oak.
The shrub is common to the coastal plains of North Carolina but rarer in the piedmont. They are native to the central and eastern United States.
The genus name, Toxicodendron, is Greek and a combination of two words. Toxikos, tranlates to "poison" and dendron, meaning "tree." The species name, pubescens, means "covered with fine hairs."
The shrub is found in dry and sandy areas in forests, natural areas, or thickets. Although much appreciated by wildlife, this species is best left in the wild. It is not recommended for most gardens.
Poison Oak's roots are rhizomes, and the shrub often forms large colonies. Their leaves are green, alternate, and the upper and undersides of the leaf are pubescent. The leaves tend to crowd towards the ends of the stems. In the fall, the leaves are vibrant orangish-red. Flowers appear in the spring and are panicles of yellowish-green blooms. Late spring, clusters of pubescent greenish-white to tannish-white drupes appear. Birds are attracted to the fruits, and they spread the seeds. The stems are also pubescent, and the bark is smooth and light brown.
Poison Oak contains the toxin Urushiol, which is also found in Poison Ivy and Poison Sumac. All parts of this plant are poisonous and will cause severe skin redness, itching, blistering, and swelling. Symptoms may occur through direct contact or by cross-contamination of clothing/tools that have been in contact with the plant. Contact with smoke from a burning shrub may also result in symptoms. It is never safe to handle this shrub in any stage of its growth or even when dormant. Always wear protective clothing to prevent contact with this plant. Thoroughly wash your hands, clothing, and tools with soap and water after exposure.
The distinctive features of the Poison Oak include:
- alternate compound leaf with 3 Oak-like leaflets
- lobed or toothed margins
- finely pubescent stems and leaflets
- low erect shrubs
- found in dry areas
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Toxicodendron
- Species:
- pubescens
- Family:
- Anacardiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- central and eastern United States
- Distribution:
- USA: AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, KS, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV Introduced: USA--IL; Czechoslavakia
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the berries. Deer will eat the leaves and fruits.
- Edibility:
- toxic if ingested.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- White
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Tight clusters of greenish-white unripe berries appear in late spring. When ripened, they turn a tannish-white. They measure 0.25 inches in diameter and are pubescent. Birds are attracted to their fruit.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers appear in panicles. Each flower has five greenish sepals, five yellow-greenish petals, and five stamens. The filament of the stamens is green, and the anthers are yellow. The blooms are small and rather inconspicuous. They typically bloom in the spring from March to April.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves resemble the leaves of the White Oaks tree. They usually are crowded at the end of the stem. They appear alternately and are trifoliate. The leaf shape is ovate to elliptic. They may be lobed or have toothed margins. The leaves are typically leathery in texture, dark green to yellowish-green, and pubescent on both sides. In the fall, the leaves turn a vibrant reddish-orange.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Lenticels
- Bark Description:
- The bark is light brown and smooth. Lenticels are present.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are slender, grayish-brown, and slightly hairy or glabrous. The buds are velvety in texture.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
