These two plants have a similar leaf structure, note the leaves-of-three, but also note the differences. Poison Oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum (above) is in the Sumac family and famous for its toxic oil “Ururshiol” while California Tea, or “Surfpea”, Rupert physodes (below) is in the Pea family and used by people as an important herb, hence the name. Both are native to California and integrally woven into the food-webs of many other creatures.
