Summary
Significant ragweed concentrations were detected in Potchefstroom. Moderate grass concentrations were seen in Pretoria and Kimberley and Cladosporium peaks occurred at several sites in response to the cool and moist autumn weather.
Cape Town
Low pollen concentrations were detected during this sampling week. Tree pollen included gum (Myrtaceae), waxberry (Morella) and linden (Tiliaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), forest elder (Nuxia), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), mugwort (Artemisia) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
Means are shown as this spore trap is not operating, Trees previously seen at this time of year were cypress (Cupressaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae) and poplar (Populaceae). Weeds were the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), mallows (Malvaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds are usually low.
Pretoria
4-year means are given. Trees usually seen at this time of year were bushwillow (Combretaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Mould concentrations are generally low.
Bloemfontein: Pollen concentrations were all insignificant at this site. Trees were sumac (Anacardiaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), chestnut (Hippocastanaceae), and linden (Tiliaceae. Weeds were erica (Ericaceae), iris (Iridaceae) and mint (Lamiaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Moderate grass counts were detected at this sampling site. Low tree concentrations included pine (Pinaceae), elm (Ulmaceae), waxberry (Morella) and ash (Fraxinus). Weeds were low levels of sedges (Cyperaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low, with small but consistent spikes for the allergenic mould Cladosporium.
Durban
Pollen concentrations in the categories: Trees, grasses and weeds were all low. Trees included birch (Betula), gum (Myrtaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia), mustards (Brassicaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and spurges (Euphorbioacae). Moulds were moderate with small spikes for basidiospores (mushrooms).
Gqeberha: No grass or weed pollen was detected at this site and the only tree pollen seen was waxberry (Morella). Moulds were insignificant.
Potchefstroom
Significant concentrations of ragweed (Ambrosia) were noted during this sampling week. The only trees detected were oak (Quercus). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were moderate with strong significant peaks for the allergenic mould Cladosporium.
George
Few pollen grains were detected during this wet and rainy sampling week. Trees included alder (Alnus), waxberry (Morella) and forest elder (Nuxia) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were ferns (Polypodiaceae), buttercup (Ranunculaceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low but increases in ascospores are noted after rain. These findings are repeated from the previous week as the pollen sample did not reach the laboratory in time for analysis.
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
