» Dangerous pollen


» Dangerous pollen:

  Pollen is a fine to coarse powder consisting of microgametophytes (pollen grains), which carry the male gametes of seed plants. The transfer of pollen grains to the female reproductive structure is called pollination. This transfer can be mediated by the wind, in which case the plant is described as anemophilous (literally wind-loving). Anemophilous plants typically produce great quantities of very lightweight pollen grains, often with air-sacs, and generally have inconspicuous flowers. Entomophilous (literally insect-loving) plants produce pollen that is relatively heavy, sticky and protein-rich, for dispersal by insect pollinators attracted to their flowers.

  Of all the things that cause allergy, pollen is one of the most common. The types of pollen that most commonly cause allergic reactions are produced by plain-looking plants (trees, grasses and weeds) that do not have showy flowers. Allergies caused by pollens are seasonal, but if a person is allergic to different types of pollen the symptoms may last from March to November.



  Tree pollen such as elder, elm, hazel and especially birch are responsible for spring hay fever. Grass and cereal pollens cause summer hay fever symptoms. Mugwort and hybrids such as chrysanthemum, nettle, and ragweed cause autumn hay fever. Most people suffer from ragweed pollen allergy.

Generalised UK pollen & fungal spores calendar