Unable to Identify a Leaf

[cpring23]

https://gm1.ggpht.com/5dtYUGWsGvYFv3l_Bn7uw-mHEnAn09fTlWtC-1hwEThg-VNW_4HjvcxTzlblmiZdMkqZlMQzIwrTYAsfP91rJVrSfbxcYUv3qBtQrkfJgj-TQSKVck1qZZJsmMzBSHPUgtVqTu1BdYh1end-F8dvTkYUSj_HmohBgRvnm9Fq-WHDmUUjVnjTaA1_E54wuWH028_wvoF2YSltkei9v8AIOr7FCqQCcbWiUX7R1ygTCta9DBqLs5GL7xTBy9IkLoVe7dbTLW-A6MIMOu1ce-rNXQcdOXANjwiL77KgC4GBRLvLX-w2WnvhNwlgs18m6PuvJ7UerYU8y4z36ePl6-atF8fZsqahm8aDPyazUJ9__cmNpkEZHB1wMU4Z_SvkjDFoBjm2Xn8Ash6fysIaS3PUl7_apuVhHrMhrsa_mC7ckjXPdbaMsvqS_wZXv11aE3917Z57H02eYt3G0DHmKaYQgOkBmIBLaqdH83EQXxXtweKyJxCsmM1rqPkG1OyXH3eSvRXFoeZND_IM7Mwt8QHmY0sfXuLxxYSQFSxOP_ncSps_AyAk7jSA0QmFGCZogLL4zFOEfSAAPcoHrqyvGmby__q6fvcGpgdF3aXg2oyDGFpaxEMoqfloY810i61iZGZh8VzHmcY5j9zOYKiemMZuTyuSL8nDfPFLiRN26N-ZhWg=w1342-h523-l75-ft

 

 

My botany teacher recently took us to the local botanic gardens to take samples of leaves, press them, and identify them. When I took this sample, she said this one would be a little more difficult than the others to identify. I'm starting to think it may be because it's not a tree like most other samples but rather a bush or shrub. I may be wrong. If it's a tree, my strongest guesses are that it's either a subspecies of hawthorn or a swamp white oak. I'm uncertain if it's local to my area, Wyoming, because the gardens plant a wide array of plants. I've been through both a physical and online version of the arbor day association's "What Tree is That?" guide and I'm finding few results. Can anyone help me?

[Acme]

Getting an error at your image link.

[cpring23]

https://40.media.tumblr.com/cf4c65cb9e80f5e3c852e420d329ee15/tumblr_nw2xdiKWEx1rzkwjvo1_400.jpg

 

Is this better?

[Acme]

Is this better?

Yep. Off hand I'd say it's Poison Oak. Leaflets three, let it be.

 

How to identify poison oak

PS Here's a more in-depth ID guide. Be sure to wash your hands after handling the sample, just in case.

 

The Sure-Fire Poison Oak & Poison Ivy Identification System

[overtone]

In the tree category you might also check mulberry and - if that isn't it - sassafras. The main reasons I would doubt poison oak is the mitten leaflet and the fact that both the botanical garden and your teacher let you handle the thing.

 

Is there any restriction on the area from which that botanical garden obtains its plants? It it's a shrub from anywhere, you may in for a long search.

Edited October 13, 2015 by overtone

[Acme]

In the tree category you might also check mulberry and - if that isn't it - sassafras. The main reasons I would doubt poison oak is the mitten leaflet and the fact that both the botanical garden and your teacher let you handle the thing.

 

Is there any restriction on the area from which that botanical garden obtains its plants? It it's a shrub from anywhere, you may [be] in for a long search.

I'm surprised about the handling too, But on the mitten leaflet you are mistaken. See the second first link I gave for illustrations of the great variability in poison oak's leaf shape. Mulberry & Sassafras don't have compound leaves either.

 

Edit: Fixed illustration reference. Also, Oak and Hawthorn don't have compound leaves and Hawthorn has, well, thorns. In my second reference on ID'ing Poison Oak they point out that the leaflet veins aren't opposite, however I can't see that much detail in the posted image. ?

 

As to being in a garden, Wiki says this:

Poison Oak @ Wiki

...Cultivation

 

T.diversilobum can be a carefully situated component in wildlife gardens, habitat gardens, and natural landscaping.

 

The plant is used in habitat restoration projects.[4] It can be early stage succession where woodlands have been burned or removed, serving as a nurse plant for other species. ...

Edited October 13, 2015 by Acme