Members of the family Asteraceae produce very little
nectar and are reliant on bees that feed on their pollen.
Didelta carnosa are often pollinated by beetles.
sponses can also affect the eyes,
garden with minimal allergy symp-
seasonal allergies is directly related
throat, palate, ears, and sinus-
toms if they choose the right
to the increasing trend toward us-
es. Although you cannot prevent
plants. The solution is two-fold.
ing male trees and shrubs in land-
an allergy, you can prevent the re-
Firstly, plant trees, shrubs and
scaping. Male dioecious plants are
action. A number of medications
groundcovers with large, showy
termed “litter free” since they do
and treatments are available, but
flowers that may or may not be
not soil sidewalks and parks be-
the most effective way is to try to
scented, that rely on animal or in-
cause they don’t drop seed, seed
avoid the allergen that triggers your
sect pollination and which have
pods, or fruit. However, male dioe-
allergic response.
male parts recessed in the blossom.
cious plants generally produce large
These plants produce large, sticky,
amounts of allergenic pollen. Fur-
heavy pollen grains in relatively
thermore, Ogren says that in Ameri-
small quantities that are too heavy
ca, landscapers use only a handful
to be carried by wind. Secondly,
of these male dioecious plants and
plant female dioecious (male and
as a result, Americans are being
female organs occur on separate
overexposed to the same type of
plants) plants that produce no pol-
pollen, which can create a sensitivi-
len.
ty that ultimately leads to allergy.
The main culprit of seasonal hay
fever is pollen. Not just any pollen
though, it is only the small, light,
dry, wind-borne pollen which causes an allergic reaction. This type of
pollen is often produced by plain
looking plants that do not have
showy flowers but produce them in
large quantities.
Those suffering from seasonal allergies can, however, enjoy a beautiful
Aloes often attract sunbirds.
American landscape gardener,
teacher and writer, Thomas Ogren
is of the opinion that the severity of
A moth drinking nectar from a
species of the vygie family.
On the contrary, female dioecious
plants are natural air-cleaners as
their flowers are 'positively charged'
A fly drinking nectar from a species
of Helichrysum.