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This is a family of herbaceous plants and small bushes, that includes 45
genus and 1,000 species, and that usually grow in warm and tropical zones.
In Spain, the most important genus from an allergological point of view stet
Nettle (Urtica dioica) and Wall Pellitory (Parietaria judaica). Parietaria
is so called because it grows in cracks or at the base of walls, stones,
etc.
The pollen of Urticaceae is small (13-19 µm) spheroidal, spiculated, and
has 3-5 pores. Pollens from Urtica and Parietaria are indistinguishable with
an optical microscope.
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The period of pollinisation is very long, from February to November. It
is a very dominant pollen in all the Mediterranean area (Spain, Italy,
France, Greece, Turkey, etc.), and it affects adults significantly more than
children.
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Parietaria judaica**
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Parietaria*
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Optical
microscope
pollen view:**
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Electronic microscope
pollen view**
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* Photos (c) Laboratorios LETI, S.L. ** Photos (c) Menarini, S.A. - Hospital Clínico de Barcelona
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