With the arrival of spring, around three million Australians (15% of the population) will start to experience the dreaded hay fever symptoms; itchy watery eyes, runny noses and itchy throat. And the one thing people blame the most – pollen from flowering plants.
Fact is most pollens, especially from flowering plants, are too heavy to float in the air.
Pollen on flowering plants usually travel no more than a few inches by wind and these plants rely on butterflies, bees and other pollinators to move their pollen from plant to plant.
The true cause of our allergies is mostly from wind pollinated grasses and trees, and the one that may be causing your head to feel like it is going to explode, may be thousands of kilometres away from your home.
Jimmy Turner, Director of Horticulture for Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands
It’s easy to blame flowers because you’ve most likely never noticed ryegrass, couch or other grasses in bloom. The large tree culprits you need to be aware of as well include the London plane, oak, pines and she oaks.
Studies show that most hay fever is caused by mould, dust and especially pollen from grass and trees, because these particles are light and easily blown by the wind in large quantities.
So the fact is your garden shouldn’t have to suffer along with your allergies.