t1 Box-elder

Allergens within Tree Pollens

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  • Latin name: Acer negundo
  • Family: Aceraceae
  • Common names: Ashleaf Maple, Manitoba Maple, Box Elder Maple, Western Box Elder (Not to be confused with the Elder tree (Sambucus nigra) or the Grey Alder tree (Alnus incana)
  • Source material: Pollen
A tree species producing pollen, which often induces hayfever, asthma and conjunctivitis in sensitised individuals.

Allergen Exposure

Geographical distribution
The Box Elder tree is a member of Acer genus of the Maple family (Aceraceae). The genus Acer consists of more than 100 species distributed throughout Europe, North America and Asia.
 
Box Elder is native to eastern and Midwestern North America. It has the broadest range of the North American Maples, and is found throughout eastern and central North America.
 
The Box Elder is a small- to medium-sized tree, reaching heights of 9 to 15 meters, with a trunk diameter up to 1.2 meters.
 
Box Elder flowers in the early spring just before the leaves appear. Box Elder is dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring separately, but on the same tree. The male flowers are in small bundles and the female flowers occur on drooping stalk-like structures in clusters. The flowers are greenish-yellow, without petals, and inconspicuous.
 
Environment
The Box Elder likes lots of light and rich, moist soils and is often found in lowland sites near water.

Potential Cross-reactivity

An extensive cross-reactivity among the different individual species of the genus could be expected (1).

Clinical Experience

IgE mediated reactions
Box Elder pollen will result in asthma, hayfever and allergic conjunctivitis in susceptible individuals (2). In a population in Missouri, USA, which was skin-tested with pollen from twelve wind-pollinated tree species, Box Elder, Willow and Hickory elicited the highest allergic reactions (2).
 
The pollen of this and other species of Maple can cause airborne contact dermatitis (3).
 
Compiled by Dr Harris Steinman, harris@zingsolutions.com

References:

    1. Yman L. Botanical relations and immunological cross-reactions in pollen allergy. 2nd ed. Pharmacia Diagnostics AB. Uppsala. Sweden. 1982: ISBN 91-970475-09  
    2. Lewis WH, Imber WE. Allergy epidemiology in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. III. Trees. Ann Allergy 1975;35(2):113-119  
      Botanical Dermatology Database http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/ 2000

2002



Further Reading