Summary
Grasses were high in Kimberley, but low at all the other sites. Tree and weed pollen is disappearing from the air, while moulds are increasing at the inland sites.
Cape Town
Tree, grass and weed concentrations were all low. Trees included ebony (Ebenaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), dandelion (Taraxacum), sedges (Cyperaceae) and the buchu family (Rutaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
Grass, tree and weed pollen concentrations were all low. Trees included Australian pine (Casuarina) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), sedges (Cypreaceae), ferns (Polypodicaeae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Grasses concentrations were low. The only tree detected was birch (Betulaceae). Low weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
At this time of year, moulds are increasing whilst pollen is waning. Trees would include gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), sand olive (Dodonea), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and birch (Betulus). Weeds are likely to be the daisy family (Asteraceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), mallows (Malvaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and mugwort (Artemisia). Moulds are usually moderate. 5-year means are shown.
Bloemfontein
5-year means are listed. The trees seen at this time of year include gum (Myrtaceae), sumac (Anacardiaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), elm (Ulmaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds are mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds are generally low but increasing.
Kimberley
Grasses were high. Trees and weeds were low. Trees included waxberry (Morella). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were low with small spikes for ascospores following rain. Last week’s findings are posted.
Durban
Pollen in all categories was low. Trees included bushwillow (Combretaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopdiaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were moderate.
Gqeberha
Grasses were low. Low tree concentrations included European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and the coral tree (Erythrina). Weeds were storksbill (Erodium), geranium (pelargonium) 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.
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
