Allergy to the ornamental indoor green plant Tradescantia (Albifloxia).

We report on a 32-year-old atopic female office employee with a moderate tree pollinosis who also suffered from indoor-related perennial rhinoconjunctivitis. Once when she repotted her two ornamental nonflowering green plants of the genus Tradescantia (synonym; Albifloxia; family Commelinaceae), she immediately experienced itching of the face, throat, and conjunctiva; swelling of the lips; and dyspnea and wheezing. Skin prick tests with the leaves of Tradescantia (T. albifloxia and T. fluminensis) (Ta and Tf) were strongly positive as was the specific IgE to Ta leaves extract. On RAST inhibition studies, no cross-reactivity was found between Ta and Ficus benjamina (weeping fig), a nonflowering green plant, which produces, in its milky sap, an important respiratory allergen. Green plants should be considered potential indoor allergens and tested in plant-keepers referred for allergologic investigation.