The Allergenic Plants In Your Region: Narrow your search for the vegetation causing allergic reactions.

As a practicing allergist, you're concerned that when you test for allergens you test appropriately. This page is a starting point in your search for the vegetation inflicting your patient.

Information Sources:

Information on the allergenic plants in your region is available from a wide variety of sources. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Native Plants

1. Educational Institutions. Universities and colleges often have a systematic or taxonomic botanist on staff. If they can't help you directly, they can usually lead you in the right direction.

2. Private Industry. Various industries keep botanists on their staff.

3. Government. Every state maintains taxonomic texts, describing vegetation native to the state. Details on flora may include abundance, location and blooming season. Publications may also include non-native plants that have become endemic, such as the Brazilian Pepper Tree in Florida, Pampas Grass in California and Texas and, of course, the ubiquitous Russian Thistle. Your state may be able to provide you with a text or botanical survey paper that specifically covers your immediate focus of interest.

4. Organizations. Native plant societies are additional resources. These volunteer groups' interests vary from cultivating native plants and species preservation to cataloging vegetation growing beside local hiking trails.

5. The Internet. A quick web search can reveal valuable links in your allergenic quest. Sometimes using the Latin name of the plant helps provide great finds. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's (AAAAI) National Allergy Bureau (http://www.aaaai.org/nab/default.htm) produces recent pollen count information by locale. The AAAAI also sells an annual pollen count report derived from the Aeroallergen Network. Another valuable link is The University of Wisconsin-Madison Dept. of Botany Virtual Foliage Site (http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/biology/mnps/links.html). This site provides many images of native plants and plant communities.

Weeds

1. The Internet. Consider using the sources listed above. Also take a look at the Idaho State University Weed Biology Library. (http://www.weeds.iastate.edu/).

2. Government. State and federal agricultural departments often have weed scientists or extension agents that are familiar with the many weeds that impede local agriculture.

3. Gardening books. These readily available guides often have extensive guidelines for the identification of weeds.

Street Trees

1. Government. Some towns and cities have a database of city-owned trees and their location. Ask your local parks and recreation department.

2. Nurseries and professional landscapers. Often, these professionals can tell you what's being planted in local neighborhoods.

3. Garden clubs.

4. Landscape and gardening books.