This vigorous shrub or sometimes climber has multiple tan woody stems and spreading branches that form a bushy habit. It has dark green leaves with 3-lobed leaflets and the small yellowish star-shaped flowers appear in a pendent cluster in spring.

Hardiness zones 5 to 10

Toxicodendron diversilobum is naturally found in North America growing widespread from British Columbia to California and Baja California appearing throughout the mountains and valleys and forms dense thickets in chaparral or coastal sage scrub, from sea level to an altitude of 1,524 m (5,000 ft). It also grows in shaded gullies and riparian habitats as a climbing vine with the aid of aerial roots that adhere to the trunks of trees.

It prefers an open to exposed sunny to semi-shaded position and grows in most well drained moderately fertile moist or dry soils and is frost and drought tolerant.

The Western Poison Oak is grown for its climbing or spreading growth habit and its autumn foliage colour. It is planted in parks and gardens along remote borders for screening or as a specimen and is not commonly cultivated due to its toxic nature and is normally regarded as a weed. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 2-3 years and is long lived. It regenerates quickly from fire or pruning and the seeds germinate readily in disturbed soils. It is controlled by physical removal including the roots or can be chemically poisoned. ID 3722

Toxicodendron(toks-ee-ko-DEN-dron) diversilobum (die-ver-sih-LOW-bum)

Note:
Care should be taken as contact with the leaves causes` severe skin irritation and it is advisable to use protective clothing.
Poision oak is one of the most painful plants in North America effecting thousands of people from bush walkers to fire fighters. It causes severe dermatitis from touching the foliage or respiratory inflammation from inhaling the smoke or soot when it is burnt. Livestock and deer commonly brows the plant without any ill effect.

This plant is regarded as a weedin many regions as it can self-sow or spread vegetatively readily and is discouraged from use in gardens.

Anacardiaceae(an-a-kard-ee-AY-see-ee)