Pecan • Carya illinoinensis
Trees & Shrubs
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis.
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes.
Physical description: Can grow up to 150 feet in height; has a broad, rounded crown; leaves alternate with 9-17 leaflets; bark is a grayish brown; fruit is a nut about 1-2 inches long.
Environmental factors: Commonly cultivated in orchards in the American south for its timber and edible nuts; although its pollen is very allergenic, it is large and does not travel far.
Cross Reactivity: Hickory shellbark; hickory white
References
- “Pecan.”Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pecan
- “Pecan.” USDA – National Resources Conservation Service. https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_cail2.pdf
- “Hickory.”Pollen.com. https://www.pollen.com/research/genus/carya
- “Allergic Rhinitis.” ACAAI. http://acaai.org/allergies/types/hay-fever-rhinitis
- “Cross Reactivity.” HollisterStier Allergy. http://www.hsallergy.com/products/cross-reactivity/
Did You Know?
The pecan tree is the tallest of the hickory trees, as well as the state tree of Texas. It is a severe allergen.
