What does poison oak look like?
There are two varieties of poison oak, known as Western (or Pacific) poison oak and Atlantic posion oak to indicate where each type is found. They are fairly similar in appearance, and identical in their effect on anyone who comes into contact with them, since both contain urushiol – the toxic oil that is transferred by touch, and causes urushiol-induced contact dermatitis if absorbed by the skin. This reaction will manifest itself in the form of a red rash, bumps on the skin, and sometimes fluid-filled blisters. The rash is best known for being extremely itchy, often with a painful burning sensation and swelling (particularly if spread to the eyes).
Because there is no outright or immediate cure for poison oak (although there are lots of natural and over-the-counter remedies to help ease discomfort until the rash disappears), the best solution to the problem is prevention. You should be aware of where poison oak grows, the different forms that it can take, and how to identify it by its appearance.
There is less variety in the case of Atlantic poison oak, which grows in the form of an erect shrub of up to about a meter (or three feet) in height. You'll find this plant in the southeastern United States: it consists of hairy leaflets of about 6 inches or 15 centimeters in length, growing in alternate groups of three along each stem. They look like white oak leaves, and are green in spring and summer, and orange or yellow in the fall. You may also see some berries on the plant, which are round, small, and normally a green-yellow color.
Western poison oak, on the other hand, is much more variable in appearance, particularly since it grows in a few different forms. It is extremely common on the Pacific coast, and it can be found in various habitats:
-Open areas exposed to direct sunlight. Here, it will be growing as a dense shrub.
-Shaded, woody areas. In this environment, it will take the form of a creeping vine, climbing up trees.
-Grassland. You might see it growing in single stems.
-Damp areas near waterfalls or rivers.
-Mountain ranges.
Typically, though, the leaves of the plant will all be fairly similar no matter what form it takes. Like Atlantic poison oak, the leaves are in clusters of three along the stems. Western poison oak leaves are usually slightly more glossy than true oak leaves, but other than that they do look quite like them - uneven, toothed edges, and about 4 to 10 centimeters in length. In spring time, they will initially be a bronze color before turning bright green, and then gradually going form yellowish green to orangey-red in the summer. By fall, they should be pink or bright red. If you see Western poison oak in spring, you may also notice white flowers, which will then develop into white or tan colored berries if fertilized. Be aware that in winter time the plants will have no leaves, but will still contain urushiol – much trickier to spot, but just as likely to cause a rash!
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