Summary
Pollen concentrations are low during this early winter period, but moulds are fluctuating and the allergenic moulds like Cladosporium increase rapidly when rain is followed by sunshine.
Cape Town
Pollen concentrations in the categories of trees, grasses and weeds remain low, but cypress (Cupressaceae) trees have begun their flowering season. Other trees detected were waxberry (Morella) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia) and heather (Ericaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
4-year means are shown. Trees seen at this time are birch (Betulus), pine (Pinaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds would be pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds are generally low.
Pretoria
4-year means are given. Flowering trees at this time of the year have been birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mesquite (Prosopis) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds are likely to be mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), heather (Ericaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds are low.
Bloemfontein
Tree, grass and weed pollen was found in low concentrations at this sampling site. Trees included bushwillow (Combretaceae), pine (Pinaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), oak (Quercus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and Fern Pellaeae (Pteridaceae). Moulds were very low.
Kimberley
The pollen strip did not reach the laboratory in time for processing. This site will be updated as soon as the findings are available.
Durban
4-year means are given. Tree pollen at this time of year has been birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and forest elder (Nuxia). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae)ragweed (Ambrosia), starflower (Boraginaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sun dew (Droseraceae). Moulds have ranged from moderate to high.
Gqeberha
Grass pollen concentrations were very low and no tree pollen was detected at this sampling site. The only weed pollen was aloe (Asphodelaceae). Moulds were similarly low.
Potchefstroom
Pollen in all three categories was low at this site. Tree pollen included karee (Searsia/Rhus) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low but small spikes for the allergenic mould Cladosporium are noted.
Georg
All pollen concentrations were low at this sampling site. Trees included bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), elm (Ulmaceae) and Australian pine (Casuarina). Weeds were mugwort Artemisia), sedges (Cyperaceae) and knotweed (Persicaria). Moulds were low with small spikes for ascospores 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
