Predominant Pollen and Spores

Victoria, British Columbia

Tree pollen and spore seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen and spore seasons described here are generalizations as to when pollination/sporulation occurs.

Get our new app for accurate pollen and spore forecasts for Victoria.

Predominant Pollen for Victoria, British Columbia

Tree pollen seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. The pollen seasons described here are generalizations as to when pollination occurs.

 

Alder (Alnus sp.)

Alder season can start mid-March to early April and end early to late June. Moderate and high counts can occur. Alders are considered important allergens.

Birch (Betula sp.)

Birch season can start from mid-April to early May and end early to late June. Very high counts are observed and they are considered important allergens.

Cedars, Junipers and Yew (Cupressaceae family)

Cedars, junipers and yews season starts from early to late March and ends late May to early June. Very high counts can be observed but most species in Canada are not considered allergenic.

Dock weed & Sheep sorrel weed (Rumex sp.)

The dock and sorrel season can start from early to mid-May and ends early August. The pollen is considered mildly allergenic.

Grasses (Gramineae family)

Grass season can start early to mid-May and end early October. Moderate and the occasional high counts are observed from early June to late July.

Hazel (Corylus sp.)

Hazelnut season can occur from late January to early March. Only low counts with occasional moderate occuring some years. May not cause allergic reactions at such low levels.

Hemlock (Tsuga sp.)

Hemlock season lasts approximately one to three weeks and varies a great deal from year to year. The season can start from the second week of May to early June and end the third week of May to the second week of June. Some years moderate and high counts are possible.

Larch (Larix sp.)

Larch season can vary a great deal from year to year. The season can produce moderate counts or very sporadic low counts. The season can start mid to late April and end late April to early May.

Maple and Box Elder (Acer)

Maples and Box Elder can have a short early season from mid to early April. The main season can start from early to mid-April and end mid to late May. Some very high counts are observed and some species are known to cause allergic reactions.

Nettles (Urticaceae sp.)

Nettles and the parietaria produce low and moderate counts. The season can start mid to late June and end mid to late September. They are considered important allergens due to their small size.

Oak (Quercus sp.)

Oak season can start from mid-April to early May and end the third week of May to early June. The counts can get high and some species are known to cause allergic reactions.

Pine, fir and spruce (Pinaceae family)

High counts are observed throughout the season for pine, fir and spruce. The pollen season can start from late April to the second week of May and ends early to late July. This group of trees are important to those individuals sensitized.

Plantains (Plantago sp.)

Plantains produce mostly low and occasional moderate counts. The season can start late May to early June and late September. They can cause allergic reactions even in low numbers to sensitized individuals.

Poplar, cottonwood and aspen (Populus sp.)

Poplar, cottonwood and aspen produce very high counts which can cause allergic reactions. The season can start from the third week of March to the third week of April and end early to mid-May. The season can start early in warm years like 2010 and 2012.

Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.)

Ragweed season can begin from mid-July to early August and end early to mid-October or with a heavy frost. Moderate counts can be observed from the second week of August to early September.

Predominant Spores for Victoria, British Columbia

Spore seasons fluctuate from year to year by as much as two to four weeks at this site due to the effect of weather. Spores described here are generalizations as to when sporulation occurs.

Alternaria sp.

Most of the significant counts for Alternaria are found from June to mid-October and are generally in the low to high ranges. May not cause allergic reaction except in highly sensitized individuals.

Aspergillus sp.

Significant counts for Aspergillus occur throughout the whole counting season with high counts occurring from March to late fall.
 

Boletus sp.

The counts for the Boletus spore are very sporadic with low to high counts observed. It may be of significance in causing allergic reactions. Season is from June to the end of October. Late July to October is when the highest counts are observed.

Botrytis sp.

Botrytis counts are in the low to moderate ranges from April to early October.

Cladosporium sp.

Cladosporium are found throughout the whole counting season. High counts are observed in March and April with very high counts starting June to late fall.

Coprinus sp.

High counts of Coprinus are observed with the season running from May until late fall. May be an important allergen.

Diatrypaceae sp.

Counts are very sporadic for Diatrypaceae and vary throughout the whole counting season. Very high counts are observed from March to late October. They are not known to cause allergic reactions.  Found in air samples, food, soil and plant material.

Epicoccum sp.

Low to high counts of Epicoccum occur from June to mid-October. Found on plants, soil, grain, textiles, air samples and paper products. Causes damage to crops, corn, millet, soybean and cultivated grasses (wheat, oats, etc.). Can cause allergic reactions and asthma.

Erysiphe (Oospora) sp.

Erysiphe (Oospora) sp. commonly known as Powdery mildew.  The season is from mid-April to mid-October. Counts are in the low to very high ranges. May not be an important allergen.

Fusarium sp.

Sporadic counts of Fusarium are observed throughout the whole collecting season. Moderate to high counts are observed from May to early October.

Ganoderma sp.

Ganoderma also known Bracket Fungus has very high counts that are observed from June to mid-October. May be an important allergen.

Helicomyces sp.

Helicomyces season is very sporadic and low to high counts are observed from April to mid-October.

Leptosphaeria sp.

Leptosphaeria can be found in air samples, food, soil and plant material. The season is from February to mid-October. The counts vary from day to day, which is probably due to the effect of weather. Low to high counts are observed. They can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks and skin infections.

 

Myxomycetes

Low and moderate counts are observed from May to mid-October.

Penicillium sp.

Significant counts of  Penicillium occur throughout the whole counting season with high counts occurring from March to late fall.

Uredinales sp.

Uredinales aka Rusts produce low to high counts from May to mid-October. Allergenic properties are not well understood.

Ustilaginales sp.

Ustilaginales also know as Smuts produce low to high counts from May to mid-October. Allergenicity is unknown.
Return to city information page for Victoria, British Columbia