Field Journal: 23 September 2018

Edited 28 September 2018 to add fourth page of journal entry. Whoops. - Damaris Brisco

On 23 September 2018, I went into Roy's Redwoods to look for examples of poison oak mimicry. I'd learned in California Naturalist training last weekend that poison oak often grows to resemble the plants around it, and I wanted to see this for myself.

Following are examples of how poison oak can change the shape, color, and texture of their foliage to resemble other plants growing nearby. Each pair of photos was taken from plants growing in close proximity to each other.

Left: Oregon Ash, *Fraxinus latifolia*. Right: Pacific Poison Oak, *Toxicodendron diversilobum.*

Left: California Blackberry, *Rubus ursinus*. Right: Pacific Poison Oak, *Toxicodendron diversilobum.*

Left: Beaked Hazelnut, *Corylus cornuta*. Right: Pacific Poison Oak, *Toxicodendron diversilobum.*

Left: California Buckeye, *Aesculus californica.* Right: Pacific Poison Oak, *Toxicodendron diversilobum.*

Left: Coast Live Oak, *Quercus agrifolia*. Right: Pacific Poison Oak, *Toxicodendron diversilobum.*

Left: Peppernut (Califorina Bay Laurel,) *Umbellularia californica.* Right: Pacific Poison Oak, *Toxicodendron diversilobum.*

Left: Pacific Madrone, *Arbutus menziesii.* Right: Pacific Poison Oak, *Toxicodendron diversilobum.*

Left: Common Snowberry, *Symphoricarpos albus.* Right: Pacific Poison Oak, *Toxicodendron diversilobum.*

Previously: 21 September 2018

Next: 26 September 2018

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