Summary
Unusually high grass counts were seen in the Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom for most days of the sampled week and significant ragweed counts were recorded in Potchefstroom.
Cape Town
Tree, weed and grass pollen concentrations were low. Trees included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), forest elder (Nuxia), waxberry (Morella), gum (Myrtaceae) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (Artemisia), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and reeds (Juncaceae). Moulds were very low and particulate matter appeared at the end of the sampling period after lightning strikes sparked forest fires on Table Mountain.
Johannesburg
4-year means are shown. Pollen in all three categories: Trees, grasses and weeds are usually low during this late autumn period. Trees are likely to include Australian pine (Casuarina), bushwillow (Combretaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), gum (Myrtaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds would typically be pigweed (Amaranthaceae), lily (Liliaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds are invariably low.
Pretoria
4-year means are shown. All pollen and mould concentrations are usually low during this sampling period. Trees include gum (Myrtaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds are typically pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (Artemisia), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type).
Bloemfontein
High grass concentrations were detected. Trees were low and included birch (Betula), bushwillow (Combretaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and poplar (Populaceae. Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grasses were high. Tree pollen was insignificant and only mesquite (Prosopis) and linden (Tiliaceae) trees were detected. Few weed pollen types were detected. These were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), mugwort (Artemisia), nettles (Urticaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were low, but strong, significant spikes were seen for the allergenic fungal spore Alternaria) and smaller less significant spikes were seen for basidiospores (includes mushrooms). The rain spore, Pleospora appeared in the air after rain.
Durban
Pollen concentrations were low. Trees included birch (Betulus), waxberry (Morella) and mesquite (Prosopis). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (Artemisia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were low with intermittent spikes for ascospores following rain.
Gqeberha
The Public Holiday on 1 May delayed the delivery of the pollen strip. Findings will be added as soon as they are complete.
Potchefstroom: Grasses were moderate. Trees detected were oak (Quercus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia) and lily (Liliaceae). Moulds were significant with spikes for the allergenic mould Cladosporium.
George
All pollen concentrations were insignificant. Trees detected were cypress (Cupressaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were ferns (Polypodiaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low, but ascospores rose sharply following rain.
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
