Exit Pollen

Pollen is flower sperm, a fine to coarse powder of pollen grains or microgametophytes containing male gametes of seed plants. Each contains two generative cells (male gametes) and a vegetative cell, this cell complex is surrounded by a cellulose wall and a thick outer wall of sporopollenin. Pollen is produced in the microsporangium (in the anther of an angiosperm flower or male cone of a conifer) and are mostly spherical or variable sixe, the smallest being around 6 microns in the Forget-me-not plant. Except in submerged aquatic plants, mature pollen grains have a thin delicate wall of unaltered cellulose (endospore or intine) and a tough outer cicatized exospore (or exine) which latter bears spines or warts, and is variably sculpted. Germination of the microspore occurs before it leaves the pollen-sac.

Allergy to pollen (commonly hay fever) is caused by anemophilous pollens - lightweight pollen grains produced in great quantities for wind dispersal. Breathing them causes an allergic reaction in some of us. We often blame the conspicuous entomophilous (insect-borned) goldenrod flower for allergies - you can get this only if you shove the flower up your nose. late summer and fall pollen allergies are caused by ragweed which is indeed anemophilous but does not grow in deserts (hence the rising population in Arizona until people started establishing irrigated lawns and gardens in the suburbs of Phoenix and laid waste to the allergy free claim).

Anemophilous spring bloomers such as oak, birch, hickory, pecan and early summer grasses may induce allergies but cultivated flowers are most likely entomophilous and do not. Pollen count is the measure of grains of pollen in one cubic meter of atmospheric air. The higher the number, the more of those who are allergic to a particular pollen will suffer. Counts are announced for specific plants such as grass, ash or olive, and tailored to what is usually a common plant in the area being measured. You rotate a silicone grease covered rod in the air to collect the pollen. Rotate periodically and randomly to collect specimens during 24 hr period and then analyze for concentration.

DO

• close windows at night to prevent pollens and mold spores form drifting into the home
• use air-conditioning to clean, cool and dry the air
• minimize early morning acitvity when pollen is emitted (0500-1000 PDT)
• keep your car windows closed when driving
• try to stay indoors when pollen count or humidity are reported to be high, or windy days when dust and pollen are blown about
• take prescribed medications in the recommended dosage

DO NOT

• take more medication than recommended
• mow lawns or be around freshly cut grass since mowing stirs up pollens and mold spores
• rake leaves (stirs up mold spores)
• hang sheets or clothing out to dry (they collect pollens and molds)
• grow too many or over-water indoors plants if you are allergic to mold (encouraged by wet soil)