Summary
Means are given for some sites as aerobiologists are at a workshop. Tree pollen is no longer significant, grasses are moderate in Kimberley and Cape Town and weeds remain low at all sites.
Cape Town
At this site tree pollen has decreased at this time of the year. Trees detected would include cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds are plantain (Plantaginaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds are generally low. 5-year means were calculated.
Johannesburg Central
No significant pollen or mould concentrations were measured. Tree counts decreased but a variety of trees are still completing their flowering cycles. False olive (Buddleia), white stinkwood (Celtis), olive (Oleacae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanaceae), plane (Platanaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia) were detected. Low weed concentrations included sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
All pollen and mould concentrations were low. Trees included pecan (Carya), ash (Fraxinus), mulberry gum (Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus), olive (Oleaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae).
Pretoria
Tree pollen in late October-early November has included birch (Betulaceae), jacaranda (Fabaceae), pecan (Carya), mesquite (Prosopis), karee (Rhus/Searsia), mulberry (Moraceae) and waxberry (Morella). Moulds are usually moderate. 5-year means were calculated.
Bloemfontein
Grasses remained low. Trees decreased but olive (Oleaceae), is currently the dominant tree. Other flowering trees include acacia (Acacia-type), sumac (Anacardiaceae), false olive (Buddleia), pecan (Carya), hackberry (Celtis), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were the carrot family (Apiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), heath (Ericaceae), lily (Liliaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), buttercups (Ranunculaceae) and caltrops (Zygophyllaceae), all detected in low concentrations. Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grasses are increasing at this site and moderate counts were recorded this week. Trees were low but varied and included ash (Fraxinus), pecan (Carya), olive (Oleaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), protea (Proteaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Nematodes, burnt grass stamens and degranulating grasses were noted, especially during thunderstorms.
Durban
At this time of year moulds are usually high. Tree pollen would include white stinkwood (Celtis), gum (Myrtaceae), birch (Betulaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina), pecan (Carya) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds are likely to be nettles (Urticaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). 5-year means are shown.
Gqeberha
The findings from this site were not received.
George
A repaired clock has been fitted to the spore trap and this site should be back online next week.
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
