Summary
Grasses are high in Kimberley, where many degranulating grass grains were seen releasing respirable starch granules. Grasses and moulds were high in Vanderbijlpark. Moulds are increasing at several sites as temperatures drop.
Cape Town
Pollen concentrations were low at this site after weather that included strong wind and rain. Trees were pine (Pinaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). No weeds were detected. Moulds were low but spikes for ascospores and the allergenic mould Cladosporium, appeared after rain.
Johannesburg
Grasses were moderate. Low tree concentrations included birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleia), guarri (Fabaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). weeds were pigweeds (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (Artemisia), sedges (Cyperaceae) and lily (Liliaceae). Moulds were low, but with some spikes for Alternaria.
Johannesburg South
Grass concentrations were high. Trees were low and included gum (Myrtaceae) and oak (Quercus) only. Low weeds were identified as the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and pigweed (Amaranthaceae). Moulds were moderate with significant spikes for the allergenic moulds: Alternaria, Cladosporium and Epicoccum.
Pretoria
Pollen is usually low at this time of the year. Trees might be karee (Rhus/Searsia), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae), mesquite (Prosopis) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds would be slangbos (Stoebe-type), ferns (Polypodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), hopbush (Dodonaea) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds are usually low. 5-year means are shown.
Bloemfontein
Pollen concentrations are low at this time of the year. Trees usually seen are false olive (Buddleia), cypress (Cupressaceae), olive (Oleaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), waxberry (Morella), elm (Ulmaceae) and poplar (Populaceae). Weeds might be sedges (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), and mugwort (Artemisia). Moulds are generally low. 5-year means are shown.
Kimberley
Grasses were high and numerous degranulating grasses were seen to be releasing tiny, respirable starch granules. Low tree concentrations included waxberry (Morella), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Small but consistent spikes appeared for the allergenic moulds Alternaria and Cladosporium, following rain.
Durban
Pollen and fungal spore concentrations were low, reduced by rain. Trees included birch (Betulaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds were ferns (Polypodiaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations were low. Trees included persimmon (Ebenaceae), waxberry (Morella) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were pigweeds (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the rose family (Rosaceae), erica (Ericaceae, sedges (Cyperaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
George
Low concentrations were seen for all pollen categories. Trees included olive (Oleaceae), ash (Fraxinus) and false olive (Buddleja). Fungal spores/ moulds were low but increased after rain when small spikes were seen for ascospores and basidiospores (includes mushrooms). Findings from the same time period in 2024 are shown, but the spore trap has been repaired and we hope it is fully operational again.
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre
