The Cedar Fever season has started in Central Texas. The fever is a misnamed, because it’s actually an allergic reaction to the pollen released by Ashe Junipers (Juniperus ashei), but the name cedar fever has a nice sound to it and it’s here for good.

The pollen is wind-carried and at times you’ll see clouds of red smoke coming from the junipers. It’s said that everyone gets it eventually, and some people suffer more than others. Your eyes burn and turn red, your nose runs, constant sneezing – you’ve got it! There is no escaping it and it’s amazing that something so simple and actually so beautiful can cause so much misery.

Here’s a view of two junipers. The one on the left is female and is bright green. The male, on the right, has a reddish appearance, due to the pollen.

Female and Maile Ashe Junipers

Here’s a closer view of the male branches so you can see the small cones covered in the reddish-brown pollen.

Male Ashe Juniper

Here’s an even closer look.

Male Ashe Juniper Close Up

For comparison, here’s a set of female branches and they don’t have the awful stuff.

Female Ashe Juniper Close Up