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What Does Oak Pollen Look Like?

Oak pollen can be identified by the male catkins they are associated with. Oak male catkins are green and pendent, meaning they hang down from the stem like chandeliers. They can be considered delicate or worm-like. It is common to find male catkins and their explosions of pollen "dust" scattered across the tops of cars during oak pollen season. Pollen appears as a yellow-green, powdery substance.

  1. Source

    • Oak pollen is released from the male catkins of the oak tree. The term catkin comes from "katteken," Dutch for little cat, referencing the long, furry-like tree appendage that can be compared to kitten tails. Catkins are long, slim clusters of flowers. Each flowering shoot has small, stalkless unisexual flowers growing off the axis.

    Time Frame

    • Male catkins release literally millions of oak pollen grains into the air in hope of finding a female catkin match. They appear on the oak tree between early autumn and spring and bloom before the leaves bud. Pollen is released in the spring. The oak pollen season officially extends from March to May.

    Size

    • Individual pollen grain size is microscopic. Pollen grain length generally depends on the species of oak tree, though it varies yearly among sites and trees of the same species. When looked under high magnification (like with an SEM, or scanning electron microscope), an oak pollen grain has a relatively smooth surface. It is round, sometimes with a bloated triangular form.

    Function

    • Because of its shape, oak pollen is made for distribution by wind. Other kinds of pollen are instead, for example, spiky, intended to be carried by sticking on traveling bees or other animals. Wind pollination is also known as anemophily. Pollen of anemphilous plants tend to be light and small, and can be carried by wind currents for long distances. Their ability to move with the air has its consequence for allergy sufferers. However, most pollens that cause allergies, like oak, are anemphilous.

    Considerations

    • Symptoms of oak pollen allergy include irritable, runny eyes and sneezing. To make it through pollen season, be sure to avoid the outdoors from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., when pollen counts are highest. Be sure to clean air filters, close windows and keep your area clean. Antihistamine medications can helpful. For some extreme allergies, consulting with an allergy doctor will be essential.

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