Editorial: Poison oak: Know it in all its forms

I'm a daily hiker, and the other day, I got a wee little patch of poison oak. In the past, I've gotten horrible, horrible outbreaks, and in case you do, too, here's some of what I've learned about this very common plant and its various forms. My experience and anecdotes from neighbors indicate poison oak is more widespread than in past years. Researchers say climate change, warmer temperatures and rising levels of carbon dioxide tell the plants to grow bigger leaves. Further, the oil of the leaves, urushiol, is more powerful and supercharged than ever. I didn't think poison oak had flowers, but I found out about five years ago. I had the worst case of poison oak ever, with blisters and oozing over half my body. All because I tried to pull what I thought was just a weed with flowers. I know now this "poisonous" plant can take many different forms, depending on the season. Picture 1 with this column does not look like the bronze-colored three leaves so many of us easily recognize in the Sierra foothills. And that is the plant I tried to pull. Its flowers were stripped as I tugged on it, but my effort was to no avail. The point is that poison oak has many forms, and it's good to know them all. Poison oak is found in damp, semi-shady areas near running water and also thrives in direct sunlight. It only needs water in early spring. It's common in Douglas fir forests and California oak woodlands. It can be a woody shrub or vine, without leaves in winter. It can grow to six feet high, growing as a climbing vine, supporting itself on other vegetation on its aerial roots. Leaves are typically clusters of three leaflets with the central leaflet longer than the other two, but sometimes leaves can be five, seven or nine leaflets. Young leaves are green and sometimes red in the spring and slender and pointy, as in picture 1. The surface of the leaves can be glossy or dull and sometimes even somewhat hairy, especially on the lower surface. In the spring, poison oak has small, white-green flowers. In late spring and summer, the foliage is glossy green and only later turns shades of orange and red. The plant even has round, green fruit in the summer. Learn these different forms and avoid a case of itchy poison oak. Just in case you accidentally get into it, be prepared with Tecnu, or another degreasing soap, to wash away the virulent urushiol of poison oak. How should you treat the rash if you get it? In severe cases, especially those including a rash on the face or genitals, seek medical help. Read the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Poisonous Plants for treatment suggestions: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/plants/. There are also natural remedies that include baking soda, oatmeal baths, tea tree oil, witch hazel and aloe vera. For management information and additional photos of poison oak, please read: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7431.html