Poison oak typically has leaves grouped in clusters of three leaflets, similar to poison ivy, but with some distinctive features. The leaflets have rounded or softly lobed edges rather than sharp teeth, and the undersides of the leaves are fuzzy and lighter in color compared to the top side. The leaves can vary in color throughout the year, appearing reddish or shiny in spring, bright green in summer, and turning yellow, brown, red, or purple in the fall. Poison oak often grows as a shrub in the Eastern and Southern U.S., sometimes reaching over 6 feet tall, and can also grow as a vine, especially in the Western U.S. The plant may have white or yellow berries and produces small yellowish-white flowers in clusters during late spring and summer
. A helpful way to identify poison oak is to remember the phrase "leaves of three, let it be," since its leaves almost always come in groups of three. The leaves have smooth, rounded lobes rather than sharp serrations, and the stems are smooth, unlike some berry plants that have thorns or hairs
. In summary, poison oak looks like a shrub or vine with groups of three fuzzy, rounded leaflets that change color seasonally and may have small berries or flowers. Avoid touching it, as it releases an oil called urushiol that causes an itchy rash on contact.
