w12 Goldenrod

Allergens within Weed Pollens

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  • Latin name: Solidago virgaurea
  • Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)
  • Common names: Goldenrod, European Goldenrod
  • Source material: Pollen
Note: Not to be confused with Rayless Goldenrod (Haplopappus heterophyllus).

Allergen Exposure

Geographical distribution
Solidago encompasses approximately 130 species, most of which are found in North America, though some are common to Europe and northern Asia as well (1). Solidago is also found in South America and other parts of the world, where some species within the genus are cultivated as ornamentals. The closely related species, Canada goldenrod, S. canadensis, is a common plant, found throughout Canada and the United States, from coast to coast (1). Several species, such as Late goldenrod, S. gigantea, have a high latex content of the leaves (1-2).

Goldenrod is a perennial weed often found along roadsides and in open fields. It has a single woody stem that grows as high as 2 m. It spreads by seed and creeping roots. It may be grown as an ornamental plant. The alternate, three-veined leaves at the base of the plant are bright green and oval-shaped, drawing to a point, while the leaves on the stem are smaller and wholly oval in shape. The leaves have either toothed or smooth edges.

The stems produce scented spikes of simple golden-yellow flowers, which have clusters of stamens, from mid- to late summer (August and September). Flowers are yellow, with numerous small heads with overlapping involucral bracts, having 10 to 17 rays (1). The ornamental Goldenrod is smaller, growing to 0.6 m and in flower from July to October. The flowers are small (6 mm) and are produced in profuse clusters. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). As Goldenrod is insect-pollinated, the pollen grains are much heavier than those of ragweed and other plants that have airborne pollens associated with allergic symptoms. The plant is also self-fertilising. The seeds ripen from August to October.

In areas where Ragweed exists, as ragweed anthesis wanes, Goldenrods such as S. speciosa (Showy goldenrod) and S. sempervirens (Seaside goldenrod) are still producing large amounts of pollen, and captured Goldenrod pollen will exceed that of Ragweed (1).

Environment
Goldenrod is found along roadsides, in open fields, dry woods, grasslands, hedge banks and dunes.

Goldenrod has been used topically for healing wounds, and by American Indians as a salve for rattlesnake bites. Tea can be made from the leaves.

Allergens
No allergens from this plant have yet been characterised.

Potential cross-reactivity

An extensive cross-reactivity among the different individual species of the genus could be expected, as well as to a certain degree among members of the family Asteraceae, which includes Solidago (Goldenrod), Ambrosia (Ragweed), Chrysanthemum, Matricaria chamomilla (Chamomile) and Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) (3-5).

Cross-reactivity between ragweed and goldenrod is minor (6).

Extensive cross-sensitisation was observed to pollen of several members of the Compositae family (e.g., Matricaria, Chrysanthemum, Solidago) and to pollen of the Amaryllidaceae family (Alstroemeria and Narcissus) (7).

Clinical Experience

IgE-mediated reactions
Anecdotal evidence suggests that asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are common following exposure to pollen from Goldenrod, particularly in an occupational setting, e.g., that of flower sellers; however, few specific studies have been reported to date (4,8-9). However, whether Goldenrod is a significant cause of hay fever remains debatable and asthma has not been reported (1).

Thirty of 100 individuals with hayfever as a result of Ragweed were shown to be sensitised to Goldenrod (9).

Of 14 consecutive patients seen at an allergic clinic in the Netherlands, with complaints varying from allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma to urticaria due to the handling of flowers, 12 reported Solidago as the responsible plant. Eleven were shown to have serum specific IgE directed at Solidago and 12 were skin prick test positive (7).

Although Goldenrod is mainly insect-pollinated, the pollen has been detected in gravimetric sampling e.g. in the Fairbanks area, Alaska (10).

Other reactions
Allergic contact dermatitis after systemic administration has been reported (11).

Compiled by Dr Harris Steinman, harris@zingsolutions.com

References:

    1. Weber RW. Goldenrod.
      Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2003;91(6):A6
    2. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Range Plant Handbook.
      New York, NY: Dover Publications Inc. 1988:529-530
    3. Yman L. Botanical relations and immuno-logical cross-reactions in pollen allergy. 2nd ed. Pharmacia Diagnostics AB. Uppsala. Sweden. 1982: ISBN 91-970475-09
    4. de la Torre Morin F, Sanchez Machin I, Garcia Robaina JC, Fernandez-Caldas E, Sanchez Trivino M. Clinical cross-reactivity between Artemisia vulgaris and Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile). J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2001;11(2):118-22
    5. Perrick D, Stafford CT, Armstrong E, DuRant RH. Modification of the fluorescent allergosorbent test as an inhibition assay for determination of cross-reactivity among aeroallergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991;87(1 Pt 1):98-103
    6. Weber RW. Cross-reactivity of plant and animal allergens.
      Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2001.21:153-202
    7. de Jong NW, Vermeulen AM, Gerth van Wijk R,
      de Groot H. Occupational allergy caused by flowers. Allergy 1998;53(2):204-9
    8. Wodehouse RP. Pollen Grains. New York. NY: McGraw-Hill; 1935:488-95
    9. Vaughan WT, Crockett RW. An assay of goldenrod as a cause of hay fever.
      Ann Intern Med. 1932:6:789-94
    10. Anderson JH. A survey of allergenic airborne pollen and spores in the Fairbanks area, Alaska. Ann Allergy 1984;52(1):26-31
    11. Schatzle M, Agathos M, Breit R. Allergic contact dermatitis from goldenrod (Herba solidaginis) after systemic administration. Contact Dermatitis 1998;39(5):271-2

2009