Goldenrod, in the background, is usually blamed for ragweeds, in the foreground, allergy-triggering pollen. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

I am in the second round of my allergy season misery.

It’s the time of year when I can be seen at the pharmacy looking for a magic potion because my symptoms correlate with five out of the seven dwarves. Yes, that is the way I measure my health. I’m not usually Bashful, and I strive to be Happy, but for now, I am definitely Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy, Sleepy, and I require a Doc.

According to allergy tests, the two main plant culprits responsible for my distress are pine and ragweed. Springtime is when I can count on having to hose down my car and porch while mixing a witch’s brew of allergy medications. Sadly, all the recent rain is gifting me any leftover pine pollen. The fine golden dust can make me “briefly” curse nature while remaining in awe of anyone able to build a tolerance for their allergies. I also realize the irony of moving to a place surrounded by the very thing that makes me sneeze.

To make matters worse, it is ragweed season. Though people blame the majestic goldenrod for seasonal allergies, ragweed’s pesky green flowers are accountable for “hay fever” symptoms. Ragweed often hides below goldenrod, gleefully surviving while people uproot a beneficial pollinator plant.

If you are one of the many people planting and protecting milkweed for the monarchs, uprooting goldenrod is undoing your good deed. Goldenrod provides late-season nectar to monarchs, bees, and other pollinators. Meanwhile, evil ragweed lies in wait to make allergy sufferers blame the innocent goldenrod.

Goldenrod and ragweed don’t look anything alike. Goldenrod plants are single-stemmed and branch at the top into their yellow blossoms. Ragweed is named for its ragged, toothed leaves, which branch out in every direction. The thin, spiked green “male” flowers at the top of each branch and “female” flowers at each joint. That’s right. Ragweed self-pollinates as well as by the wind. It truly is a survivalist.

Until my body becomes used to the autumn influx of allergens, I remain a bit foggy-headed and on a quest for the right mixture of local honey and over-the-counter antihistamines. To fellow sufferers, please double-check before blaming goldenrod for your agony. Ragweed is most likely the cause. Good luck!