These oils help the skin to repel the plant toxin and will not regenerate for 3 to 6 hours following washing with these solvents. Therefore, wash with them only if you are done working outside for the day. If there is a possibility of reexposure to poison oak within 6 hours, just wash with lots of water. Be sure to thoroughly wash the hands as they serve as the major route for transfer of the allergen to other parts of the body, especially the face. The single-seeded fruit are eaten by a variety of birds.
Birds serve to disperse the seeds to new locations.
A single root system can cover a very large area. Poison oak can survive under a wide range of temperatures, elevations, soil types, moisture conditions, and light intensities. However, it is most commonly found on hillsides with shallow soils. The flowers of poison oak are usually pollinated by insects. Maintaining a healthy cover of desirable vegetation will reduce the potential for invasion of poison oak.