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Predominant Pollen and Spores

Kelowna, British Columbia

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 Kelowna, British Columbia

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 starts from late February and ends late June. The counts fluctuate from low to moderate due to the number of species present and the effect of weather.
Birch (Betula sp.)
Birch season starts between the first and second week of April and ends mid to late May. Some counts do get high making it an important allergen to those who have allergies to birch. The season varies from year to year due to the effect of weather.
Cedars, Junipers and Yew (Cupressaceae family)
Cedars, junipers and yews produce significant counts, in the moderate and high range, from early March to mid-May. May cause allergic reactions in those individuals who are highly sensitized.
Chenopodiaceae & Amaranthaceae

This group of weeds are similar microscopically and are not differentiated. They include some weeds, which are considered allergenic. Some moderate counts are observed from August to early September. The main season starts from about mid-June and ends around mid-October.

Elm (Ulmus sp.)

Elm are important allergens. The season can start as early as the beginning of March and end mid-April. The counts are sometimes in the moderate range. The season can last almost three weeks and can vary from year to year due to the effect of weather.

Grasses (Gramineae family)
Grasses produce significant counts in the moderate and high ranges from the second week of May to mid-July. The season starts around mid-April and lasts to about mid-September.
Hazel (Corylus sp.)
Hazelnuts season can occur starting late February and last until early April. Only low counts are observed and may be of no significance except to those highly sensitized.
Larch (Larix sp.)

Larch season varies a great deal from year to year. The season start is from early to mid-April and the season end is from early to late May. Some years very little pollen is produced, other years the season lasts approximately one month and moderate counts are observed. Not known to cause allergic reactions.

Maple (Acer sp.)
With maple trees season is not considered important for allergies since very little pollen is captured on our samples. This is due to the limited number of species present and that they are mostly insect pollinated or found at high elevations.
Mugwort (Artemisia sp.)
Mugworts season is from late July to early October with low and the occasional moderate counts observed. Could be considered an important allergen in highly sensitized individuals.
Mustards and Cabbage (Brassica sp.)

Mustard and cabbage family are responsible for contact dermatitis and food allergies. They are not necessarily considered important in airborne allergies, since they are mostly insect pollinated, but a significant amount of pollen is observed in our samples at this location. The season can start late June and can last until late August. Mostly low and moderate counts are observed.

Nettles (Urticaceae sp.)
Nettles and parietaria season is from mid-May to the end of August. Only low counts are observed. Due to their small size they are considered important allergens.
Pine, fir and spruce (Pinaceae family)
Moderate and high counts of pine, fir and spruce are observed from early May to late July. The season is from mid-April or early May to late July or mid-August. The season varies from year to year. This group could be important in highly sensitized individuals due to the length of the season and the high pollen counts.
Poplar, cottonwood and aspen (Populus sp.)
Poplar and aspen season can start early March and can last until mid-May. The season fluctuates from year to year due to weather. Some of the counts are very high and may cause allergic reactions.
Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.)
Low counts of ragweed is not common and the pollen season is from the end of July to mid-September with only occasional low counts observed.
Sagebrush (Artemisia sp.)

Sagebrushes season is from late July to early October with low and the occasional moderate counts observed. Could be considered an important allergen in highly sensitized individuals.

Willow (Salix sp.)
Willows pollinate generally from late March to mid-May. Some moderate counts are observed.

Predominant Spores for Kelowna, British Columbia

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.
The counts for Alternaria are mostly moderate with some in the high range. Some species are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from early March to mid-October, with the highest counts occuring June through September.
Aspergillus sp.
Aspergillus spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. High counts are observed 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 with significant counts is May to well into October.
Botrytis sp.
Botrytis may be a significant allergen, with mostly moderate counts observed. The season, with significant counts, is from mid-May to the end of September and the counts are very sporadic.
Cladosporium sp.
Cladosporium is 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 – this mushroom produces moderate and high counts from April to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Diatrypaceae sp.
The counts for Diatrypaceae are sporadic throughout the whole collecting season. Very high counts can be observed from March to mid-October. They do not have any known allergic properties.
Epicoccum sp.
Some species of epicoccum are known to cause allergic reactions. The season is from July to mid-October with some moderate counts. May not be a significant allergen.
Erysiphe (Oospora) sp.
Erysiphe, also known as Powdery mildew, season is from April to mid-October. Moderate and high counts are observed.
Ganoderma sp.
Ganoderma also known as the bracket fungus can produce significant counts from early May to mid-October. It is considered an important allergen.
Helicomyces sp.
Helicomyces is very sporadic from May to the end of September producing moderate and some high counts.
Leptosphaeria sp.
The heaviest counts of Leptosphaeria season starts the end of May and runs through to the end of September. The counts vary from day to day, which is probably due to the effect of weather and the number of species present. Mostly moderate, with occasional high, counts are observed.
Myxomycetes

Moderate counts are observed from May to mid-October. Season is sporadic.

Penicillium sp.
Penicillium spores are found throughout the whole counting season and are probably present in significant numbers beyond that. High counts are observed from March to late fall.
Pleospora sp.

This spore occurs from the end of May to early September and the season is sporadic. The counts are mostly in the moderate range.

Torula sp.
Torula season is from late June to late August with mostly moderate counts.
Uredinales sp.
Uredinales produce mostly moderate counts but not enough is known about their significance in causing allergic reactions at these levels. The season is from May to mid-October.
Ustilaginales sp.
Ustilaginales spore is abundant at this location. The allergenic properties of the smuts are unknown, however, it belongs to the Basidiomycota which are associated with allergies and asthma. The season is from mid-April to mid-October with some very high counts from July to the end of September.

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