Wingscale • Atriplex canescens
Weeds
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis; allergic asthma; allergic conjunctivitis.
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms; cough; difficulty breathing; shortness of breath; wheezing.
Physical description: Characterized by grayish, linear to spoon-shaped
leaf blades, yellowish twigs, and a small, yellowish or brown wind-pollinated flowers; there are four membranous wings.
Environmental factors: Found in sandy areas, along seashores, and in other saline soils, especially in arid regions; very common throughout most of the Southwest.
Cross-reactivity: Strong cross-reactivity between Atriplex species of plants
Included species: Atriplex canescens, atriplex confertifolia, atriplex cuneata, and more
References
- “Outdoor Allergens.” American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/at-a-glance/outdoor-allergens
- “On the Cover.” Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology 101, no. 1 (2008): A4
- “Explosive evolution of perennial Atriplex in western America.” Intermountain Biogeography: A Symposium 2, no. 10 (1978): 161-168
- “Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens).” United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/atriplex_canescens.shtml
- “Allergic Rhinitis.” American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. http://acaai.org/allergies/types/hay-fever-rhinitis
- “Asthma Symptoms.” American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. http://acaai.org/asthma/symptoms
- “Patterns of Allergen Cross-Reactivity.” American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF%20Documents/ Immunotherapy%20Forms/3c-Allergen-cross-reactivity-patterns.pdf
Did You Know?
The sex of any given wingscale plant is not fixed genetically but can change from male to female or female to male based on environmental cues.
