Predominant Pollen and Spores
Calgary (City-Centre), Alberta
Tree pollen and spore seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen and spore seasons described here are generalizations as to when pollination/sporulation occurs.
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Predominant Pollen for Calgary (City-Centre), Alberta
Tree pollen seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen seasons described here are generalizations as to when pollination occurs.
Alder (Alnus sp.)
Alder season can start from mid to late March and ends late June to early July. The counts vary from low to moderate due to the number of species present.
Amaranthaceae & Chenopodiaceae
This group of weeds are similar microscopically and are not differentiated. They include some weeds, which are considered allergenic. Mostly low, with the occasional moderate counts observed.
The season starts early to mid-July and ends early October. At these levels they may not cause allergic reactions except for those who are highly sensitized and depending on the species present.
Ash (Fraxinus sp.)
Ash pollination season can last two to four weeks. The season can begin from late April to mid-May and it can end from mid-May to mid-June. The timing, length and amount of pollen varies from year which is partially due to weather effect. Low, moderate and some high counts are observed. Considered to be allergenic only in highly sensitized individuals.
Birch (Betula sp.)
Birch season can begin from late April to mid-May and end early to late June. The counts do get very high. The season for birch varies from year to year due to the effect of weather.
Cedars, Junipers and Yew (Cupressaceae family)
Cedars, junipers and yews produce some moderate and low counts from late March to late July. Probably of no significance in causing allergic reactions except in individuals who are highly sensitized.
Elm (Ulmus sp.)
Elm pollen season can begin from late March to late April and end late April to mid-May. The season varies from year to year due to the effect of weather and other environmental factors. The levels of pollen also vary from year to year. Some years only low counts are observed and other years moderate and the occasional high counts occur. The season lasts approximately two weeks. Elms can be considered important allergens.
Grasses (Gramineae family)
Grasses produce significant counts, mostly in the moderate and low ranges. The season can start from mid-May to early June and ends early October.
Maple (Acer sp.)
With maple trees season varies significantly from year to year due to weather. Low and Moderate counts are observed. The season starts from mid-April to early May and ends from early May to early June.
The amount of pollen from the maples varies from one part of the City to the other. The amount of pollen collected at this site is much lower than at the South West Foothills location.
Nettles (Urticaceae sp.)
Nettles and parietaria season is from late June to about mid-August. Most of the counts are low with only the occasional moderate one observed. Due to their small size they are considered important allergens.
Oak (Quercus sp.)
Oak flower for a short period in May or early June. Only low counts are observed. Oaks can be highly allergenic.
Pine, fir and spruce (Pinaceae family)
Very high counts are observed for pine, fir and spruce with the season occurring from early May to late July. The season start and finish varies from year to year.
Poplar, cottonwood and aspen (Populus sp.)
Poplar and aspen season can occur between late March to late May. Some of the counts are very high and may cause allergic reactions.
Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.)
Low counts of ragweed season is from the end of July to late September with only sporadic low counts observed.
Sagebrush (Artemisia sp.)
Low counts of Sagebrushes season is from late July to early October with low and moderate counts observed. This group can be significant in causing allergic reactions.
Willow (Salix sp.)
Willows season can start from late April to mid-May and end late May to mid-June. There is some variation in the season from year to year and low to moderate counts are observed.
Predominant Spores for Calgary (City-centre), Alberta
Spore seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. Spores described here are generalizations as to when sporulation occurs.
Alternaria sp.
Alternaria counts are in the low to moderate ranges and some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from mid-April to mid-October.
Aspergillus sp.
Aspergillus spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. The counts are significant from March to late fall.
Boletus sp.
Boletus season is very sporadic with some high counts observed. It may be of significance in causing allergic reactions. The season is from late June to the end of September.
Botrytis sp.
Botrytis may be a significant allergen, with low to moderate counts. The season is June to the end of September.
Cladosporium sp.
Cladosporium are known to cause allergic reactions. The most abundant spore found throughout the whole season. This spore exists all year round but very high counts are known to occur from March to well into late fall.
Coprinus sp.
Coprinus – mushroom produces moderate and high counts from late May to early October. It is considered an important allergen.
Diatrypaceae sp.
Diatrypaceae are sporadic throughout the whole counting season. Very high counts can be observed from late March to mid-October. They are not known to cause allergic reactions.
Drechslera sp.
The counts are mostly in the low range with some moderate counts in July and August. This is a summer and fall spore, June to September. There are other related genera, which are also found in air samples, that can cause respiratory problems. One example is Bipolaris sp.
Epicoccum sp.
Some species of epicoccum are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from late May to the end of September with only low counts. May not be a significant allergen at these levels.
Erysiphe (Oospora) sp.
Erysiphe, also known as Powdery mildew, season runs from May to mid-October. The counts are mostly in the low and moderate ranges with some high counts observed. May not be significant in causing allergic reactions.
Ganoderma sp.
Ganoderma a.k.a bracket fungus can produce high counts from mid-June to the end of September. It is considered an important allergen.
Helicomyces sp.
Season is very sporadic for Helicomyces ranging May to the end of September producing low to high counts.
Leptosphaeria sp.
The heaviest counts of Leptosphaeria season starts May to the end of September. The counts vary from day to day, which is probably due to the effect of weather. Very high counts are observed from July to early October. They could cause allergic reactions.
Myxomycetes
Moderate counts are observed from April to mid-October. Allergenic properties are not well known.
Penicillium sp.
Penicillium spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. The counts are significant from March to late fall.
Uredinales sp.
Commonly referred to as Rusts, Uredinales do occur in very high numbers but not enough is known about their significance in causing allergic reactions at these levels. The season is from early June to mid-October. The counts are mostly low to moderate with some in the very high range.
Ustilaginales sp.
The allergenic properties of the Smuts Ustilaginales are unknown. The season is from June to mid-October with some very high counts from July to the end of September.
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