Seed hairs of poplar trees as natural airborne pollen trap for allergenic pollen grains

Abstract

The present article deals with the efficacy of seed hairs of poplar trees (Populus spp.) as a potent natural airborne pollen trap. Different species of Populus are commonly found planted along the streets in the cities of North China. The seed hairs and pericarp of poplar trees were collected from the trees and on the ground in Beijing Botanical Garden of Chinese Academy of Sciences and around Miyun Reservoir during May 2005 for pollen analysis. Different pollen spectra are recorded from different samples and are characterised by dominant occurrence of pollen grains of arboreal and anemophilous plants. In addition, pollen grains of non-arboreal plants including grasses are also found trapped. Among the 46 trapped pollen grains, 26 are known to be allergenic. This study suggests that poplar seed hairs possibly make people feel uncomfortable due to the presence of allergenic pollen trapped in the hairs.

In vitro floral development in poplar: insights into seed trichome regulation and trimonoecy

“…Seeds with tufted hairs are characteristic of poplars and willows, with the cottony trichomes facilitating wind dispersal of seeds. In urban and plantation forestry, seed hairs are carriers of airborne allergens representing a potential health hazard (Hu et al ., 2008 ). Multiplex‐KO of CENs and trichome‐regulating MYBs produced 11 early‐flowering (♀) glabrous events (Fig.…”

Characterization of the Pollen Trapped by Populus L. Seeds during the Dispersion Season

“…These trichomes are similar to cotton fibers and are composed of pure cellulose [17]. The tuft-like seeds are released daily for about 2 to 12 weeks during the seed dispersion season and can be windblown miles from their origin [18,19]. This characteristic is viewed as a disservice and results in a dislike from the inhabitants, who associate it with health problems [20].…”

Development, structure and evolutionary significance of seed appendages in Salix matsudana (Salicaceae)

“…This kind of hair has attracted attention not only for its well-known function in seed dispersal [8, 9], but for the environmental annoyance when floating in the air, which may cause direct or indirect discomfort in humans [10]. Different terms have been used for describing these hairs, such as coma, cotton, down, flocculus, pappus, plume and tufts [8, 9, 11–18].…”

“…In reproductive features, Salix as well as Populus is characterized by the dioecious and highly reduced flowers and small seeds with surrounding appendage in the form of numerous whitish, silky hairs, which exceed the length of the seed and spread out at maturity of the capsule ( Fig 1A ). This kind of hair has attracted attention not only for its well-known function in seed dispersal [ 8 , 9 ], but for the environmental annoyance when floating in the air, which may cause direct or indirect discomfort in humans [ 10 ]. Different terms have been used for describing these hairs, such as coma, cotton, down, flocculus, pappus, plume and tufts [ 8 , 9 , 11 – 18 ].…”