Toxicodendron pubescens: Atlantic poison oak
Ecoregions:
Freshwater Ecoregions:
Source: Wikipedia
| Atlantic poison oak | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Anacardiaceae |
| Genus: | Toxicodendron |
| Species: | T. pubescens |
| Binomial name | |
| Toxicodendron pubescens | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Toxicodendron pubescens (syn. Rhus pubescens), commonly known as Atlantic poison oak[2] or eastern poison oak, is an upright shrub which can cause contact dermatitis for most people.
Description
The shrub grows to 0.6–1.2 metres (2–4 ft) tall.[3] Its leaves are 15 centimetres (6 inches) long, alternate, with three lobes on each. The lobes are usually hairy and are variable in size and shape, but most often resemble white oak leaves; they usually turn yellow or orange in autumn. The yellow flowers bloom from March to April.[3] The fruit is about 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm) wide and greenish white.[3]
Taxonomy
It is not closely related to the true oaks in the beech family, instead belonging to the sumac family.[3] Other plants in the Toxicodendron genus, all of which contain dermatitis-inducing urushiol, include poison ivy, poison sumac, Western poison oak, and the lacquer tree.[4]
Distribution and habitat
This species is native to the Southeastern United States from Virginia[5] westward to Texas and Oklahoma.[3]
Atlantic poison oak can be found growing in forests, thickets, and dry, sandy fields.
Toxicity
All parts of this plant contain urushiol, which can cause severe dermatitis in sensitive individuals.[3] The risk of exposure may be reduced by learning to recognize and avoid this species and wearing clothing that covers the legs and arms. Contaminated clothing should be laundered before subsequent handling or use.[6]
Effects of poison oak are similar to those of its close relative poison ivy. It causes severe itching, inflammation, and blistering.[7]
References
- ↑ NatureServe (30 June 2023). "Toxicodendron pubescens". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ↑ NRCS. "Toxicodendron pubescens". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 11 December 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Toxicodendron pubescens (Atlantic poison oak)". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved 2025-09-04 – via The University of Texas at Austin.
- ↑ "Toxicodendron: Types, uses, and what to know". Medical News Today. 2020-04-09. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
- ↑ Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora: Toxicodendron pubescens. Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Poison ivy rash". Mayo Clinic. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ↑ Einsig B (May 2002). "Poison Ivy Myth: Science, Environment and Ecology Flash for Educators". Keystone Outdoors Magazine (341). Penn State Integrated Pest Management. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2015.