AN AIR OF MISERY ABOUNDS.(MAIN)

Byline: CLAIRE HUGHES Staff writer -

If plants passed stories to future generations, the 2003 season could become the stuff of ragweed legend:

The rains were abundant in early August, moistening the ground as seedlings thirsted for water. By midmonth, the grasses were thriving when the weather turned warm, dry and breezy -- perfect for proliferation. Throughout the region, grains of pollen spread at rates more than three times higher than the year before. Heading into the first week of September, ragweed ruled.

As for the humans, they were miserable.

``I'm seeing a lot of ragweed and it looks to be healthy,'' said Larry Syzdek, a Rexford aerobiologist who monitors pollen. ``And a lot of my friends are complaining.''

Allergists don't have to know the pollen count is high to see its effects in their offices. Dr. Asghar Pasha of …