It's the sheer amount of pollen from wind-pollenated species that make them so
awful for allergy sufferers. It's abundant, it's light, it gets everywhere.
As a botanist with severe pollen allergies, I can vouch for the fact that
pollen from insect-pollinated plants is usually just as bad if you manage to
get into it. After sweeping up after evening primrose (Oenothera), gladiolas,
Mimosa, various composites, or Brassicas in lab, I've had major reactions.
As for seasonality, I *wish* it were only Ambrosia in the fall. In Texas, we
also get Iva, fall-flowering elms, and a whole host of fall-flowering grasses
(Bouteloua, Bothriochloa, Sorghum, Cynodon, Andropogon, Tridens...)
As to pine pollen, I believe that many people _are_ allergic. I'm pretty sure
it's on my list. In Texas, Juniper is another major culprit.
Monique Reed
(contemplating again the wisdom of being a botanist with major pollen and
plant-compound allergies....)
