Toxicodendron diversilobum Pacific poison oak | |
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Pacific poison oak (larger and reddish leaves) at the base of an oak tree | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Sapindales |
Family: | Anacardiaceae |
Genus: | Toxicodendron |
Species: | T. diversilobum
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Binomial name | |
Toxicodendron diversilobum | |
Synonyms | |
Rhus diversiloba Torr. & A.Gray |
Toxicodendron diversilobum (syn. Rhus diversiloba), commonly named Pacific poison oak[1] or western poison oak, is a woody vine or shrub in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae.
It is widely distributed in western North America, inhabiting conifer and mixed broadleaf forests, woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral biomes.[2] Peak flowering occurs in May.[3] Like other members of the genus Toxicodendron, T. diversilobum causes itching and allergic rashes in most people after contact by touch or smoke inhalation. Despite its name, it is not closely related to oaks, nor is it a true tree.