Allergen Update
Quebec City, Quebec
Predominant pollen:
The tree pollen seasons can 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 try to cover the time when each can occur.
Acer sp.- Maple has an early season that lasts approximately one week and can occur from late March to mid-April. The main season can start from the second week of April to late April and can end mid to late May. Significant counts are observed throughout both seasons. Certain species are important in causing allergic reactions.
Alnus sp.- Alder counts fluctuate throughout the season from year to year due to the number of species found and the effect of weather. Low to high counts can be observed from late March to mid-June.
Betula sp.- Very high birch counts are observed but the season dates and counts can flutuate from year to year due to the effect of weather. The season can start from late April to mid-May and end late May to lateJune. The birch look-a-likes' season lasts approximately two to three weeks with low to high counts and it can occur thoroughout the month of May to mid-June.
Cupressaceae group- The cedars, junipers, and yews produce low to high counts and the season can occur from late March to early May.
Pinaceae group- High counts are observed throughout the season. Pollination can start the second week of May to early June and end from early June to early July. The variation in when the season occurs is due to the effect of weather. This is a very important group of trees to individuals who are sensitized.
Populus sp.- Poplars and aspen produce high counts and the season can start from the second to the last week of April and end between early and late May. Allergic reactions may occur in highly sensitized individuals.
Quercus sp.- Oak has a short season that can ocur from mid-April to early May. The main season, which lasts one to two weeks, can occur from mid-May to early June. The oaks are considered highly allergenic.
Ulmus sp.- The elm are considered to be highly allergenic and the season lasts from one to two weeks with low to high counts. Pollination can occur from mid-April to late May.
Fraxinus sp.- Ash counts observed can be in the low to high range and will cause allergic reactions in those individuals who are highly sensitized. The season lasts about four weeks with significant counts and can occur from late April to early June.
Fagus sp.- Beech season is mostly in May with some moderate counts and it lasts almost two weeks.
Gramineae- The grass season starts the second week of May and ends around early October. Moderate counts for the grasses occur in June and July.
Plantago sp.- The plantain season is from late June to late September with only low counts observed. Can be a sginificant allergen even at low levels.
Ambrosia sp.- The ragweed season is from mid-July to about mid-October. Moderate counts are observed from early August to mid-September. It is considered a significant allergen.
Predominant Spores:
Diatrypaceae sp.- The counts are very sporadic and vary throughout the whole counting season. Very high counts are observed from March to late October.
Caloplaca sp.- Season is very sporadic. Moderate counts are observed from July to mid-October. May not be a significant allergen.
Leptosphaeria sp. & Leptosphaeria look-a-likes- These two are grouped together since they are in the same class of fungi and are similar microscopically. The season is from late April to mid-October with great fluctuations in counts from day to day which is due to the effect of weather and the number of species present. Some very high counts are observed for both groups. Can cause allergic reactions.
Erysephe (Oospora)- Powdery mildew - The season is from the end of April to late October. The counts range from low to high. May not be an important allergen.
Boletus sp.- The main season is from June to mid-October. Moderate and high counts are observed from July to mid-October. It is considered to be an important allergen.
Coprinus sp.- Moderate and high counts are observed and the season is from May to late fall. Considered significant in causing allergic reactions.
Ganoderma sp.- Moderate and Very high counts are observed from late May to late fall. Considered significant in causing allergic reactions.
Ustlaginales- The smuts produce low to high counts from late May to mid-October. Allergenic properties are not well understood.
Uredinales- The rusts produce low to moderate counts from late May to mid-October. Allergenic properties are not well understood.
Aspergillus sp. & Penicillium sp.- Significant counts occur throughout the whole counting season with the high counts occurring from March to late fall.
Alternaria sp.- Most of the significant counts are found from June to mid-October and are in the low to high range. May not cause disease except in highly sensitized individuals.
Cladosporium sp.- Found throughout the whole counting season. High counts are observed late March to late fall. Some species are known to cause allergic reactions.
Botrytis sp.- Counts are mostly in the low to moderate ranges from late May to early October.
Helicomyces sp.- The season is very sporadic with low to high counts observed from late April to the end of September. (Allergenic properties unknown).
Fusarium sp.- Sporadic season with low to high counts observed from April to mid-October.
Pithomyces sp.- Moderate counts are observed from July to early October.
Epicoccum sp.- Low and moderate counts are observed from June to mid-October. Some species are known to cause allergic reactions.
Polythrincium sp.- Low and moderate counts are observed from late June to mid-October.
Myxomycetes- Low to moderate counts are observed from late March to mid-October.
Last Updated: 13-March-2006
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