[pct-l] Poison Oak

[das33@cornell.edu (David Sacerdote)]

CharlieJones@aol.com wrote:

> There is a subtle difference in the appearance of Poison Oak and Skunk/Basket
> Bush. For most of the general populace, the rule is ... if it looks even a
> little like poison oak, treat it as if it IS poison Oak (Avoid contact).

Right, and so that the rest of us can tell them apart, here's the
difference:  For poison oak, the center leaf of the cluster of 3 is at
the end of a stem.  For Rhus Trilobata, the center leaf of the cluster
of 3 begins directly at the point where the other two leaves join.

Compare http://www.schweich.com/imagehtml/rhutri.html 
With
http://www.fastpack.com/EtPO1.jpg 

Fore more than you ever wanted to know about poison oak, see
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0802.htm

David Sacerdote