Tucson Pollen Today and Tomorrow - August

Weeks 1 & 2:  Pollen counts should be relatively low at this time.  The wet summer monsoon has promoted vigorous growth of  Ambrosia ambrosiodes (canyon ragweed) in washes and low-lying places.  Ambrosia deltoidea (triangle leaf bursage, rabbit bush) has leafed out and slim-leaf bursage is growing.  However none of these ragweeds have started to form flowers as yet.  Other weed species such as Palmer's Amaranth and Salsola (Russian Thistle) are also growing and will flower soon.  Buffelgrass is beginning to flower.  Bermuda grass and other grass species established in alleys and roadsides have greened up and will flower shortly.   The moist warm soil and higher humidity is causing mold growth, but airborne spores will not become a problem until after the monsoon is over and the surface layers of soil dry up.

Note:  This information is based on ongoing observation of flowering allergenic plants in the Tucson metropolitan area, and not on pollen counts.   Appearance and persistence of any particular airborne pollen species in the air usually lags behind the onset of flowering of the plant of origin.                                                                        Back

Disclaimer:   This site is for educational purposes only.  Any information that you have found in this web site is not intended to replace medical care or advice given to you by your own physicians. You should consider consulting your local medical library and other web sites for additional information. 

Comments and suggestions welcome!   Email: schumach@u.arizona.edu
Content Owner:  Michael J. Schumacher, MB, FRACP, The University of Arizona

Updated 8-3-2009