Summary
Moderate grass concentrations were seen in Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Vanderbijlpark. Weeds were moderate only in Johannesburg and tree pollen in the atmosphere is scant.
Cape Town
Pollen in the categories: trees, grasses and weeds was low. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae), waxberry (Morella) and Australian pine (Casuarina). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
Grasses were moderate. Low tree concentrations included Australian pine (Casuarina), pine (Pinaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were moderate and included pigweed (Amaranthaceae), mugwort (Artemisia), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Grass concentrations were low. Trees only low counts consisted only of low birch (Betulus). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
Grasses, trees and weeds are low at this time of year. Trees would be gum (Myrtaceae), elm (Ulmaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and Australian pine (Casuarina). Weeds are goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). 4-year means are shown.
Bloemfontein
Pollen and mould concentrations are low at this time of year. Trees would be mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Morella), pine (Pinaceae), Australian Pine (Casuarina), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). 4-year means are shown.
Kimberley
Grasses were moderate. Low tree concentrations included bushwillow (Combretaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were generally low but significant spikes for the allergenic mould Alternaria are noted.
Durban
Low tree, weed and grass concentrations were seen at this sampling site. Trees were ebony tree (Ebenaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were ferns (Polypodiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were low, but strong spikes for ascospores and basidiospores (includes mushrooms and puffballs) are noted.
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations were low in all three categories. Trees included ebony (Ebenaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), reed (Restionaceae), erica (Ericaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and protea (Proteaceae). Moulds were low.
George
Grass, tree and weed pollen concentrations were low. Trees included ebony (Ebenaceae) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nightshade (Solanaceae). moulds were low, but small peaks for ascospores and basidiospores includes mushrooms) were noted. Last week’s findings are shown as the sample did not reach the laboratory for analysis this 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
