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POISON OAK? GOOD OR BAD?

6/21/2019

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Photo: Sama Wareh
If I say poison oak, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Most likely, you would think of red itchy rashes, and I don’t blame you. That itchy rash is caused by an oil on the plant called urushiol. This oil is found on the leaves of poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac. Poison oak is typically found in riparian ecosystems and is usually found growing near sycamore trees, oak trees and mugwort. It can be a low shrub or a vine that climbs up to 40 feet.
When it comes into contact with humans or animals, the urushiol found on poison oak clings to the skin or fur and can cause allergies which lead to itchy rashes. Burning poison oak is also dangerous. The urushiol becomes aerosolized in the smoke and can be toxic to lungs and can even cause death.
Everything about this plant may seem evil, but is it possible that this sinister plant has a hidden side to it? Well, yes! Urushiol oil that resides on poison oak does not affect all animals in the same way. Poison oak can actually provide shelter and food to small animals. Fox squirrels nourish their appetite by eating the summer berries of poison oak. The California Towhees build their nest on poison oak.
Some people call poison oak the guardian of the forest. For example, If a lumberjack wants to cut down a tree surrounded by poison oak, he may think twice about going through all that poison oak just to cut down one tree. Although poison oak can offer benefits for certain animals, it can still be quite dangerous. For these reasons, always be aware when you hike, for the rhyme doesn’t lie “Leaves of 3 let it be”.

By: Aiza Qureshi, Age 10
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    The Art & Wilderness Institute Journalism Team are individuals who appreciate the world we live in and love to explore the myriad connections of all things in the world around us. We love to highlight the beautiful things we see in nature and to help others find ways to live with more connections to the outdoor world and the way it benefits us all. 

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  • HOME
  • CALENDAR
    • SPRING Course Catalog
  • PROGRAMS
    • GPS ADVENTURES Knowledge Quest >
      • GPS LANDING Portal >
        • SPONSORSHIP GPS
      • GPS - ORANGE CRESCENT SCHOOL LANDING PAGE
    • Inland Empire Classes
    • Online Classes
    • Nature Unit Studies
    • Mentorship
    • TK/KG PROGRAMS
    • Homeschool
    • Summer programs
    • Workshops/Series >
      • NATURE WORKOUTS SERIES
      • JACK OF ALL TRADES SERIES
      • SURVIVAL SERIES
      • PLANT MEDICINE SERIES >
        • PLANT MEDICINE APPRENTICESHIP
      • ART & JOURNALING
      • ACCOMPLISHED AMATEURS
      • TODDLER PROGRAMS
    • CA Natives Scavenger Hunt Club
    • Campouts/Retreats >
      • Ladies Backpacking Trip
    • Paint Nights
    • CLUBS >
      • Journalism Team
      • Poetry Club
      • Nature Allies Club
      • Busy Brothers Club
      • OUTDOORSWOMEN CLUB
  • Blog
  • About
    • About
    • Internships
    • Instructors
    • Charter School List
  • RESOURCES
    • PORTALS >
      • STUDENT PORTALS >
        • Nature Unit Studies Mondays
        • Eco-Defenders Class Thurs
        • 1-3 Nature Explorers THURSDAY
        • Naturalist 101 THURSDAYS
        • Physics/Bio Fridays Portal
        • 1st Grade Nature Exploration Fridays
        • FIELD MENTORSHIP PORTAL
        • 1 - 3 Chino Hills Group
      • TEACHER PORTALS
      • CLUB PORTALS >
        • OUTDOORSWOMEN CLUB
    • SCHOLARSHIPS >
      • DONOR PAGE
      • SCHOLARSHIPS- APPLICATION PAGE
    • OUTDOOR TEACHERS RESOURCE PAGE
    • FREE RESOURCES >
      • PLANT MEDICINE RESOURCE PAGE
      • SUSTAINABILITY Resource Page
      • How to Draw RESOURCES Partial
      • Quizzes RESOURCES
    • CA NATIVES TRADING CARDS
    • WINNER GALLERY
    • Community Craftsman Marketplace
    • Grants and Funding
  • Join our Mailing List
  • Volunteer Opportunities