Summary
Grasses are moderate at the inland sites but are low at the coastal sites. Trees and weeds are low everywhere. Moulds are increasing at some sites and are high in Durban.
Cape Town
Pollen and moulds were extremely low at this site after a week of strong south easterly wind and some rain. Trees detected were Australian pine (Casuarina) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and the citrus/buchu family (Rutaceae).
Johannesburg
Grasses were moderate. Low tree counts included birch (Betulaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were pigweeds (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and a small peak for slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Grasses were moderate and no tree pollen was detected. Low weeds included sedges (Cyperaceae), pigweed (Amaranthaceae) the daisy family (Asteraceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were high with significant spikes for the allergenic moulds Alternaria and Cladosporium.
Pretoria
Trees are usually low but varied at this time of the year and might include gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), birch (Betulaceae), pine (Pinaceae), mesquite (Prosopis) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds would likely include the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), mugwort (Artemisia), erica (Ericaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds are generally low. 5-year means are shown.
Bloemfontein
Grasses are usually moderate at this time of year. Low tree concentrations might include poplar (Populaceae), elm (Ulmaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), waxberry (Morella) and olive (Oleaceae). The weed season is generally declining in March but might include pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds are usually low. 5-year means are shown.
Kimberley
Grasses and moulds are usually moderate at this time of the year. Trees are low and would include waxberry (Morella), elm (Ulmaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds would be the daisy family (Asteraceae), nettles (Urticaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and dandelion (Taraxacum).The pollen sample did not reach the laboratory, so 5-year means are shown but will be replaced with real counts should the sample arrive.
Durban
Low pollen in all categories was seen at this site, but moulds were high. Trees were gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (Artemisia) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae).
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations were low. Trees included persimmon (Ebenaceae), waxberry (Morella) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were pigweeds (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), rose (Rosaceae), erica (Ericaceae, sedges (Cyperaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low. The findings were not received so last week’s data are shown.
George
Pollen concentrations for trees, grasses and weeds were all low. Trees included false olive (Buddleja) birch (Betulus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), elm (Ulmaceae), butterfly bush (Polygalaceae) and alder (Alnus). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), plantain Plantaginaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and nettles (Urticaceae).Moulds were low. This is a report from the same time period in 2024, but real time results will be available next week.
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
