Pollen and alergy

Home » Pollen and Allergy » Euforbiaceae

Euforbiaceae

Mercurialis *

Mercurialis *

This family is made up of 300 genus and 7,500 species. Plants very important from a financial point of view belong to this family: Hevea Brasiliensis (Latex is obtained from its sap), Manihot Suculenta (manioc), Ricinus communis (used as medicinal plant), Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia), etc.
Pollens from Mercurialis and to a lesser extent Castor-oil plant produce allergy frequently.

Mercurialis (Mercurialis annua)
t is a grass that can reach 40 cm. of height, and that is common both in urban and rural environments.

Its pollen has a spheroidal-elliptical shape, small-medium size (22-30 x 19-27 µm of diameter), three pores, and a surface that is somewhat reticulated.
This plant, unlike the majority, pollinates from October to May. So patients allergic to this pollen have symptoms outside the season regarded as usual (spring).

 

Mercurialis *
Mercurialis *
Mercurialis *
Mercurialis *
Mercurialis annua masculina **
Mercurialis annua masculina **
Mercurialis annua masculina **
Mercurialis annua masculina **
Optical microscope pollen view**
Optical microscope pollen view**
Electronic microscope pollen view**
Electronic microscope pollen view**

* Photos (c) Laboratorios LETI, S.L.
** Photos (c) Menarini, S.A. – Hospital Clínico de Barcelona