Article & Photos by Gavin W. Maneveldt
DEPARTMENT OF BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
Spring is often synonymous with acute hay fever. Here are some sensible suggestions for surrounding yourself with low pollen producing, allergy-friendly indigenous plants.
T
he new gardening mantra
value of an indigenous fynbos gar-
nitis, having absolutely nothing to
is "grow indigenous". Not
den in combating hay fever.
do with hay or running a fever, is
only are most indigenous
plants less costly to main-
tain, they are more cost effective in
their water consumption and many
have subsequently been termed
water-wise plants. Beside these
factors, there is also the aesthetic
value to indigenous gardening. For
the many who have not yet converted, here is another good reason to
change over to indigenous and
more specifically, to fynbos gardening. As someone who loves gardening, but is also an acute hay fever
sufferer, I have come to know the
A butterfly visiting a Scabiosa flower.
Hay fever, or allergic
rhinitis, having absolutely nothing to do
with hay or running a
fever, is simply the
irritation or inflammation of the mucous
membranes lining the
nose
But, what is hay fever and what
causes it? Hay fever, or allergic rhi-
Sunbirds are frequent visitors to
Melianthus major.
simply the irritation or inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nose. When an allergyproducing substance or allergen
(such as dust, mould, mildew and
pollen) is inhaled, your body reacts
and defends itself by producing
antibodies. These antibodies, when
combined with the allergen, cause
the body to release certain chemicals (like histamine) into the bloodstream. It is this chemical reaction
that causes an allergic response,
usually repetitive sneezing and a
congested, itchy nose. Allergic re-
A butterfly visiting Cineraria lobata.