Summary
The high grass concentrations continued this week at the inland sites and moulds were high in Durban.
Cape Town:
All concentrations are generally low during this late summer period with no rain and hot, windy weather. Trees would include elm (Ulmaceae), gum (Myrtaceae). Karee (Rhus/Searsia), waxberry (Morella) and cedar (Cedrus). Weeds are likely to be the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and English plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds are typically low. 5-year averages are shown.
Johannesburg
Grasses were high at this site. Low tree concentrations included birch(Betulaceae), persimmon (Ebenaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Grasses were moderate. Tree concentrations were low and only mulberry (Moraceae) and palm (Arecaceae) were identified. Low weed concentrations included pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and plantain (PLantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
Grasses are usually moderate at this time of year at this site. Tree pollen is found in in low concentrations and would include mulberry (Moraceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia). Pine (Pinaceae), elm (Ulmaceae) and waxberry (Morella). Weed pollen detected at this time of year would be the daisy family (Asteraceae), protea (Proteaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds aretypically low. 5-year averages are shown.
Bloemfontein
At this site grasses are high at this time of year. Trees are low and include false olive (Buddleia), olive (Oleaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and sumac (Anacardiaceae). Weeds are likely to be the daisy family (Asteraceae), protea (Proteaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds are low. 5-year averages are shown.
Kimberley
Grasses were moderate on average with some high concentrations. No trees were detected and weeds were scanty and included goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and knotweed (Persicaria). Moulds were low. Last week’s findings are repeated as this week’s sample was not received.
Durban
Tree, grass and weed pollen was low, but significant concentrations for grasses were seen on some days. Trees included birch (Betulaceae) and mulberry (Moracae). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia). the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were moderate.
Gqeberha
Pollen was found in low concentrations for trees, grasses and weeds. Trees detected were cedar (Cedrus), persimmon (Ebenaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were ice-plant (Aizoaceae), katstert (Anthospermum) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
George
Tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were all low at this site. The only tree detected was elm (Ulmaceae) and weeds were nettles (Urticaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
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
