t219 Paloverde

Unexpected exposure

Blue paloverde leaves and stems contain cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids, and cinnamic phenolic acid.

Allergen Exposure

Geographical distribution

Blue paloverde is a spiny, small, deciduous tree with multiple stems, distributed throughout the Sonora Desert in the USA. Its range extends from central and southwestern Arizona into southeastern California.

Blue paloverde grows about 10 m tall. It has pinnately compound leaves. Inflorescences of Blue paloverde are 4 to 12 cm long, with 1 or more flowers. Flower and leaf production of Blue paloverde vary according to the amounts of precipitation received. Blue paloverde remains leafless throughout most of the year. Leaves are produced between mid-July and late November, depending on the summer rains. The fruits are flat legumes, each containing 1 to 8 flat seeds.

Blue paloverde typically flowers sporadically after rains from late March to May, but flowering may extend into July. Populations of Blue paloverde also may bloom from August to October

Environment

Blue paloverde occurs in arid and semiarid climates characterized by high summer temperatures and highly variable rainfall. Blue paloverde grows predominantly in washes and beside culverts and bridges, but is also found in uplands. Blue paloverde fruits have been used by Native Americans for food. The Pima and Papago in Arizona cooked young Blue paloverde fruits and seeds and ground the seeds for porridge.

No allergens from this plant have yet been characterised.

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

IgE-mediated reactions

Anecdotal evidence suggests that asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis are possible following exposure to pollen from this tree; however, no specific studies have been reported to date.