Summary
Moulds are high in Durban and grasses are moderate in Pretoria, but pollen counts in most of the sampled cities are now low.
Cape Town
Trees usually seen at this time of year include waxberry (Morella), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), linden (Tilia) and white stinkwood (Celtis). Weeds are mugwort (Artemisia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria). Moulds are low. 4-year means given as the spore trap motor has failed.
Johannesburg
Trees usually detected at this time of the year are bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds are the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds are low. 4-year means are given.
Pretoria
Low tree concentrations during this autumn week include gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Morella), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds are ferns (Polypodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds are moderate. 4-year means are given.
Bloemfontein
Low pollen concentrations were found for trees, grasses and weeds. Trees identified included gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were mugwort, the daisy family (Asteraceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were all low. Trees identified included elm (Ulmaceae) and acacia (Acacia-type). Weeds were the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and dandelion (Taraxacum). Moulds were low.
Durban
Low tree concentrations included gum (Myrtaceae), birch (Betulus), poplar (Populaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds detected were ragweed (Ambrosia), ferns (Polypodiaceae), mugwort (Artemisia) and sorrel (Rumex). Moulds were high with strong peaks for ascospores.
Gqeberha
Tree, weed and grass pollen was consistently low at this site. Trees identified included birch (Betulus) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae, spurges (Euphorbiaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), English plantain (Plantaginaceae) and reeds (Restionaceae), Moulds were moderate.
Potchefstroom
Only grass was detected at this site and no tree or weed pollen was identified. Moulds were extremely low.
George
Pollen in all three categories was low.Trees included false olive (Buddleja) birch (Betulus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), elm (Ulmaceae), butterfly bush (Polygalaceae) and alder (Alnus). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), plantain Plantaginaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and nettles (Urticaceae). 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
