How can I quickly figure out about some particular plants? My daughter has been diagnosed with severe allergies to certain common weeds. Problem is, I only know what a dandelion is, and pretty much I'm clueless on every other plant. We live in an apartment complex with a pond and a lot of nice landscaping and a lot of natural bushes.
Is there anyone in the Denver area who understands and can identify weeds and plants that I could hire for an hour or two to walk with me around my apartment?
Or how else can I learn about these particular plants? Would a college have a biology class or something? Can I take a photo of a plant and is there a website that will match it up? I looked the plants up online and it shows the general weed and then says "there are over 60 varieties of this species" and things like that.
I have the complete list from the allergist with the plant family name and then 4 species or varieties that come under that family that she tested extremely positively allergic to.
Any ideas? Thanks!
If you have the list from the allergist can't you just Google them and print out pictures and walk around your apartment complex and compare the pictures yourself? This seems the easiest way to me...seeing how you have all the proper names for what to Google?
Or did I misunderstand something?
You have a list of weeds so this site might help a lot.
You type in your zip code and it tells you the pollen counts in your area.
They have a pretty good Pollen Library which might help you with your research too.
call the extension service in your county. they should have someone that can help for free.
but - don't know why you need to know what they look like.....not like you can rip out someone else's landscaping....
just because the skin test showed very allergic does not mean she will have a big reaction and vice versa.
fyi - she needs to learn how to use a neti pot. she needs to take a bath/shower every night before bed. these two things alone will help tremendously in controlling her reactions and reduce dependency on antihistamines and/or steroids.
lastly, I've found that by cleaning up our diet and indoor environment, there's a lot less reaction to what's outside - that means get those chemicals out of your foods (i.e., if it's not food on the ingredient list, don't buy it) and use unscented everything - personal care, laundry, cleaners, etc.
If the below advice doesn't pan out and your remain stumped, take your allergen list, along with a sample of all the leaves around your area to a local nursery. Spend some time with the manager there and provide both the list and the specimens.
You have some great answers. The Botanical Musuem/ Garden in Denver might be able to help. They may have an individual who could/ would go to your home.
I also have a sister who lives in Denver and knows her plants (she has done landscaping for gardens in the past). If you write me a message, I can contact her and give her your info.
Some also believe chiropractic care might be helpful.
Good luck.
