PINE POLLEN—
During recent weeks there has been an eruption of Eastern White Pine tree pollen. Clouds of yellow have drifted from the woods with each passing breeze, leaving a colorful film over—everything!
In the photo above, pollen is produced in the angiosperm flower or male cone of this coniferous tree. While most pollen grains are round, the grains of pines, firs and spruces are wing-shaped.
In general terms, each grain of pollen powder contains the male gametes (sperm cells). The grains of pollen have a hard coat which protects those cells during the process of their movement in the tree’s reproductive cycle.
In the event you are now inspired to engage in the lifetime study of this fascinating subject, you will be known as a palynologist.
Finally, allergy to pollen is called “hay fever”. In the US folks often mistakenly blame the widespread goldenrod wildflower for allergies. That’s not likely true. Goldenrod pollen is not air-borne. It is heavy, sticky, and dispersed by animals and insects.
The only way to get its pollen into the nasal passages would be to stick the flower up one’s nose.
I think I am going to sneeze!
_________________________________________
A tip of the hat to one of my usual references; Wikipedia.org.
During recent weeks there has been an eruption of Eastern White Pine tree pollen. Clouds of yellow have drifted from the woods with each passing breeze, leaving a colorful film over—everything!
In the photo above, pollen is produced in the angiosperm flower or male cone of this coniferous tree. While most pollen grains are round, the grains of pines, firs and spruces are wing-shaped.
In general terms, each grain of pollen powder contains the male gametes (sperm cells). The grains of pollen have a hard coat which protects those cells during the process of their movement in the tree’s reproductive cycle.
In the event you are now inspired to engage in the lifetime study of this fascinating subject, you will be known as a palynologist.
Finally, allergy to pollen is called “hay fever”. In the US folks often mistakenly blame the widespread goldenrod wildflower for allergies. That’s not likely true. Goldenrod pollen is not air-borne. It is heavy, sticky, and dispersed by animals and insects.
The only way to get its pollen into the nasal passages would be to stick the flower up one’s nose.
I think I am going to sneeze!
_________________________________________
A tip of the hat to one of my usual references; Wikipedia.org.
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