The name poison oak given to the shrub-like forms of poison ivy
and to at least two similar plants that are usually considered
separate species of the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. Poison Oak
can be a bush, vine, root, tree. Poison Oak is usually not found
above 4000 feet elevation (1219 metres). Poison oak in the
southeastern United States, Rhus quercifolia, has leaves divided
into three leaflets; the leaflets are densely haired and
generally have three to seven distinct lobes. The white, berry-
like fruits are also somewhat hairy. The poison oak of the U.S.
Pacific coast, R. diversiloba, is a shrubby or sometimes
climbing plant that grows to 2.4 m (8 ft) high; its three-
leaflet leaves are toothed or lobed and are hairless. Both
species contain poisonous substances that are believed to be
identical or closely related to that found in poison ivy.
Remedies for poison oak rash: Suffer. There are a few other
things. If you don't do anything, you'll be totally miserable
for about 2 weeks, maybe less, depending on