Some Common Plants of Upper Newport Bay

Poison Oak  (Toxicodendron diversilobum)
Plant: Erect shrub 4 to 8 feet tall or a vine.  Found in moist shady places.
Flowers: Small greenish-white on a drooping stem.
Fruit: The 1/3 inch fruit is white.
Leaf: Three lobed leaflets alternating on stem.  2 inches long, shiny green on top.  They turn red and drop in the fall.
Flowering period:   March to April
Use by Indians:  Juice from stems and leaves used as cure for warts
and ringworm, and as a black dye for basket decoration.  Full-blooded Indians showed little reaction to the poison.
Can be found here: Back Bay Drive
Native Plant: Yes Halophyte: No
Family Name: Sumac
Click on Picture for enlarged version

Date: 10/5/2005