What is a characteristic of the leaves of poison oak?

The characteristic that defines the leaves of poison oak is that they are divided into three leaflets. This specific arrangement is a key feature, as poison oak's leaves can sometimes be confused with other plants, but their distinctive trifoliate structure helps with identification. Each leafleaflet typically has lobed edges, and the entire leaf can vary in texture and color, but the three-leaflet formation remains consistent. Understanding this characteristic is essential, particularly in identifying the plant and recognizing its potential for causing skin irritation due to its oil, urushiol. The smooth-edged leaves, bright red coloration, and rounded edges mentioned in the other options do not accurately describe poison oak’s leaf structure and thus can lead to confusion when trying to identify this plant in nature.