Summary: Grasses are significant in Gauteng, Kimberley and Bloemfontein (more than 5/cubic meter).
Cape Town
High temperatures and strong southerly wind reduced pollen and moulds in the air at this site. Few grasses and only one tree type (elm/Ulmus) was detected. Weeds were slightly more frequent and included mugwort (Artemisia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), rushes (Juncacaee) and the citrus/buchu family (Rutaceae). moulds were generally low but small peaks of Cladosporium marked the beginning of autumn.
Johannesburg
Low tree pollen at this time of year would be birch (Betulus), Australian pine (Casuarina) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds are pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds are invariably low.
Pretoria: The average daily grass score at this time of year fluctuates from high to low depending on the rain patterns, as rain removes pollen from the air. Low tree loads would include hackberry (Celtis spp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), and mulberry (Moraceae). Moulds increase with rain.
Bloemfontein: Grass pollen was moderate. Trees were low and included acacia (Acacia-type), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassula), sedges (Cyperaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were very low.
Kimberley
Last week’s findings are shown due to a clockwork malfunction. Grasses were significant. Very little tree pollen was identified but occasional olive (Oleaceae) and bushwillow (Combretaceae) pollen was detected. Weeds were scanty and included ragweed (Ambrosia), the daisy family and mugwort (Artemisia). Insignificant, but frequent peaks occurred for the allergenic mould Cladosporium after rain and the allergenic mould Alternaria approached but did not exceed the significant threshold.
Durban
Pollen and mould signals were low at this site. Trees included elm (Ulmaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and birch (Betulus). Gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), ragweed (Ambrosia), nettles (Urticaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae). Moulds were low with a surge in ascospores after rain.
Gqeberha
No findings were received so the means of the past four years are shown. There are usually light loads of pollen and mould in the ambient air at this time of year. Grass pollen levels are low, little tree pollen was detected and weeds are likely to include pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), sedge (Cyperaceae) and lily (Liliaceae). Moulds are usually low.
Potchefstroom
Tree, grass and weed pollen levels were low. Trees were elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), and mugwort (Artemisia). Moulds were low.
George
Tree, grass and weed pollen was detected in low quantities. Trees included elm (Ulmaceae), birch (Betulus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
