Allergy Information

Although not airborne for long, the dandelion pollen is abundant close to the ground, where the low-growing plant sheds it. Because dandelion shares the aster family with ragweed, it is likely a cause of allergy when sensitive individuals are very close to the pollen source.

Genus Details

The dandelion is known for its yellow flower that is actually made up of many small individual flowers. The stem is slender and hollow, with the plant being 1-4 inches tall. The plants are considered invasive weeds by many people but they are also an excellent source of potassium, calcium and vitamin A.

Pollen Description

Pollen grains are spheroidal with a triangular amb and long spines.

Pollen grains are 45-48 micrometers.

Genus Distribution

The shaded areas on the map indicates where the genus has been observed in the United States.

- Native, observed in a county 

- Introduced, observed in a county 

- Rarely observed