“Leaves of three, let them be.” What do you think of when you hear this phrase? Likely, it is the poison ivy plant. However, this does not grow on the west coast, and we Californians must instead look out for its equally irritating counterpart – the poison oak.
Poison oak is not actually an oak – instead, it is a vine in low sunlight and a shrub in full sun. It gains its name from the lobed, oak-like shape of its leaves, making it commonly confused with the trees.
All parts of the plant contain an oil that can irritate the skin on contact but will likely not release unless damaged. It is generally advised not to touch poison oak, but it is not lethally dangerous…