Toxicodendron diversilobum: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 18:45, 23 March 2025

Species of flowering plant in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae

Toxicodendron diversilobum, commonly known as Pacific poison oak, is a plant species in the Anacardiaceae family. It is native to western North America, where it is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands. The plant is well-known for causing contact dermatitis in humans due to the presence of urushiol, an oily compound found in its leaves, stems, and roots.

Description[edit]

Toxicodendron diversilobum is a deciduous shrub or vine that can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall as a shrub or climb up to 30 meters (100 feet) as a vine. The leaves are alternate and compound, typically with three leaflets, although the number can vary. The leaflets are glossy green, turning red or orange in the fall.

The plant produces small, greenish-white flowers in the spring, which are followed by small, white or tan berries. The berries are an important food source for birds and other wildlife.

Habitat and Distribution[edit]

Toxicodendron diversilobum is found along the Pacific Coast of North America, from southern British Columbia to Baja California. It thrives in a variety of environments, including coastal bluffs, open woodlands, and chaparral. The plant is adaptable to different soil types and can tolerate both sun and shade.

Toxicity[edit]

The primary irritant in Toxicodendron diversilobum is urushiol, a compound that can cause an allergic reaction in many people. Contact with the plant can result in a rash, itching, and blistering. The severity of the reaction varies among individuals.

Ecological Role[edit]

Despite its reputation as a nuisance to humans, Toxicodendron diversilobum plays an important role in its ecosystem. The plant provides food and habitat for a variety of animals. Birds, such as the California towhee and the American robin, eat the berries, while deer and other mammals browse the leaves.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest have historically used Toxicodendron diversilobum for various purposes, including as a dye and in basketry. However, they were also aware of its toxic properties and took care to avoid contact with the plant.

Management and Control[edit]

Controlling Toxicodendron diversilobum in areas where it is not desired can be challenging. Mechanical removal, such as pulling or cutting, is often used, but care must be taken to avoid skin contact. Herbicides can also be effective, but they must be used with caution to avoid harming non-target plants.

*Toxicodendron diversilobum* in its red phase

Related Pages[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Berries of Toxicodendron diversilobum
Pacific poison oak
Smaller leaves of Toxicodendron diversilobum

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Toxicodendron diversilobum''', also known as [[Pacific poison oak]], is a woody vine or shrub in the [[Anacardiaceae]] family. It is native to the western region of [[North America]], where it is widespread and commonly found in a variety of habitats.
+{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae}}
-== Description ==
+[[File:PoisonOak_wb_biggerLeaves.jpg|thumb|Leaves of ''Toxicodendron diversilobum'']]
-''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' is a deciduous plant that can grow as a dense shrub up to 3 meters tall, or as a vine that climbs on other vegetation or structures. The leaves are divided into three leaflets, each 3.5 to 10 cm long, with the central leaflet on a longer stalk. The leaflets are usually lobed, giving the species its name "diversilobum", meaning "diverse lobes". The leaves turn bright red in autumn before falling off.
-== Distribution and habitat ==
+'''''Toxicodendron diversilobum''''', commonly known as '''Pacific poison oak''', is a plant species in the [[Anacardiaceae]] family. It is native to western North America, where it is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and grasslands. The plant is well-known for causing contact dermatitis in humans due to the presence of urushiol, an oily compound found in its leaves, stems, and roots.
-''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' is native to the western regions of North America, from [[British Columbia]] to [[Baja California]], and eastward to [[Nevada]]. It is found in a wide range of habitats, from sea level to mountainous regions, and from open fields to dense forests.
-== Toxicity ==
+==Description==
-Like other members of the genus ''[[Toxicodendron]]'', ''T. diversilobum'' contains [[urushiol]], a clear liquid compound found within the sap of the plant that causes an allergic reaction in most people who touch it. This reaction can range from a mild rash to severe dermatitis. The plant is most toxic in spring and early summer when the sap is most abundant.
+''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' is a deciduous shrub or vine that can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall as a shrub or climb up to 30 meters (100 feet) as a vine. The leaves are alternate and compound, typically with three leaflets, although the number can vary. The leaflets are glossy green, turning red or orange in the fall.
-== Ecology ==
+[[File:Toxicodendron_diversilobum_foliage_at_Samuel_P._Taylor_State_Park.jpg|thumb|left|Foliage at Samuel P. Taylor State Park]]
-''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' plays a significant role in its ecosystem. It provides food and habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including several species of birds and mammals. Despite its toxicity to humans, some animals, such as deer and goats, are able to eat the leaves without apparent harm.
-== See also ==
+The plant produces small, greenish-white flowers in the spring, which are followed by small, white or tan berries. The berries are an important food source for birds and other wildlife.
-* [[Toxicodendron radicans]] (Eastern poison ivy)
-* [[Toxicodendron rydbergii]] (Western poison ivy)
-* [[Toxicodendron vernix]] (Poison sumac)
-== References ==
+==Habitat and Distribution==
-<references />
+''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' is found along the Pacific Coast of North America, from southern British Columbia to Baja California. It thrives in a variety of environments, including coastal bluffs, open woodlands, and chaparral. The plant is adaptable to different soil types and can tolerate both sun and shade.
-[[Category:Flora of North America]]
+==Toxicity==
-[[Category:Toxic plants]]
+The primary irritant in ''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' is urushiol, a compound that can cause an allergic reaction in many people. Contact with the plant can result in a rash, itching, and blistering. The severity of the reaction varies among individuals.
+[[File:Poison_ivy_contact_dermatitis.jpg|thumb|Contact dermatitis caused by ''Toxicodendron diversilobum'']]
+==Ecological Role==
+Despite its reputation as a nuisance to humans, ''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' plays an important role in its ecosystem. The plant provides food and habitat for a variety of animals. Birds, such as the California towhee and the American robin, eat the berries, while deer and other mammals browse the leaves.
+==Cultural Significance==
+Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest have historically used ''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' for various purposes, including as a dye and in basketry. However, they were also aware of its toxic properties and took care to avoid contact with the plant.
+==Management and Control==
+Controlling ''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' in areas where it is not desired can be challenging. Mechanical removal, such as pulling or cutting, is often used, but care must be taken to avoid skin contact. Herbicides can also be effective, but they must be used with caution to avoid harming non-target plants.
+[[File:PoisonOakRedPhase.jpg|thumb|''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' in its red phase]]
+==Related Pages==
+* [[Toxicodendron]]
+* [[Urushiol]]
+* [[Contact dermatitis]]
+* [[Anacardiaceae]]
+[[File:Poison-oak-flowering.jpg|thumb|''Toxicodendron diversilobum'' flowering]]
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+File:Toxicodendron_diversilobum_berries.jpg|Berries of ''Toxicodendron diversilobum''
+File:Pacific-Poison-Oak.jpg|Pacific poison oak
+File:PoisonOak_wb_smallerLeaves.jpg|Smaller leaves of ''Toxicodendron diversilobum''
+</gallery>
+{{Taxonbar|from=Q157348}}
 [[Category:Anacardiaceae]]
-{{Anacardiaceae-stub}}
+[[Category:Flora of the Western United States]]
+[[Category:Flora of California]]
+[[Category:Plants described in 1838]]