Pollenservice Wien

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The plants are somewhat later in their development locally in the East of Austria, but now the flowers became visible (Video ©Katharina Bastl (MedUni Wien/Pollenservice Wien)): you can surmise the yellow dust (=pollen) in the flowering buds. Thus, local pollination starts.

The flowering time of ragweed (Ambrosia sp.) is from August to September. The ragweed pollen season has started already, because relevant long distance transport of pollen was measured in the end of July.

The weed pollen season expires: the main flower of ragweed (Ambrosia) ends; if a second flowering phase of Artemisia occurs is not yet foreseeable and depends on the weather conditions of the near future.

We provide this convenient overview graph to visualize pollination during the calendar year besides our pollen calendars.
You find more about this seasonal overview here.

Copyright: MedUni Vienna, www.pollenservice.wien

Although the main pollination period of the native grasses in the Vienna area has been over since mid-July there may be higher amounts of grass pollen again in the next days. The main reason for this is the flower of common reed. Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland is home to the second largest reed belt in Europe. Since common reed (Phragmites australis) is also part of the sweet grass family and flowers in the end of August or the beginning of September fair amounts of grass pollen is transported to Vienna if the wind comes from easterly directions. In addition to the flowering of heat-loving ornamental grasses and neophytes such as Bermuda grass, an increase grass pollen concentrations can occur again, especially at the beginning of September.

Figure: Ragweed (Ambrosia) with its typical erect inflorescence (left), detail of the spikelet of reed (center) and habitus of reed (right).

Mid- and long-term forecast for Vienna

This forecast gives you an overview for a longer time period so that you can improve your planning.

Main flower time of ragweed (Ambrosia) is fading!

General situation: At present, ragweed (Ambrosia) and fungal spores are the main airborne allergens.

The full flower of ragweed (Ambrosia) comes to an end. The forecasted peak for the start of calendar week 37 was measured: it was lower than the peak in the end of August. Pollination has still to be expected, but in a lesser extent than before. In addition, long range transport of ragweed pollen is improbable because a wind direction from the Southeast is not forecasted for the near future.
Background: Ragweed is much more widespread in southeastern Europe compared to Austria.

Grasses experienced a short-term comeback as announced: considerable pollination of grasses were measured at the begin of calendar week 37. The source was reed and longe range transport played a major role. This was a short-term phenomenon, that is over by now (with local exceptions in the vicinity to flowering reed).

The main season of fungal spores is fading. Spore concentrations are dominated by Cladosporium and Alternaria spores in the air. However, due to the prolonged dry weather, the fungal spore season was below average this year up to now.

Pollination profile
Ragweed:
state of the flower: main pollination period/pollination
trend: decreasing
time of the start of the flower: later than average

Fungal spores:
state of the season: main period/spore concentrations
trend: constant
time of the start of the season: average

Grasses:
state of the flower: end of the main pollination period/pollination
trend: decreasing
time of the start of the flower: average

You can find the typical pollen seasons in our pollen calendar. 

Pollen spectrum:
Pollen from mercury, the goosefoot family and the nettle family is also in the air.

Current main allergen: Fungal spores

Exposure time in Vienna: May to October

Occurrence in Vienna: The molds in focus here thrive on vegetation. This ranges from potting soil to grain fields. Note: The concentration of fungal spores outdoor has nothing to do with the occurrence of molds indoors.

Who are “the fungal spores“?
The spores of the molds Alternaria and Cladosporium are of allergological importance, especially the former. The here discussed fungal spores are the most important ones for ambient air. There is a high diversity of molds, that are present indoors and can spread on food. Molds may cause allergies, but also toxic reactions escalating to mycosis (invasion of the inner organs).
Alternaria belongs to the blackness-fungi. It grows primarily on vegetation and causes plant diseases that can result in crop failures (fruit, cereals). Persons concerned should not mow the lawn, since it is often located on dry plants. However, Alternaria is also found in the living area.
Cladosporium belongs as well to the blackness-fungi. It prefers forests, gardens, and swamps. It is the most common fungal spore in ambient air.

Cross-reactivity: In general, there is cross-reactivity to spores of other molds (e.g. Aspergillus, Epicoccum).

Current main allergen: Ragweed

Pollination time in Vienna: August to October

Occurrence in Vienna: Ragweed prefers disturbed land and occurs mainly on construction sites, along railway embarkments, motorways, roadsides, on farmland and fields (maize, sunflower) on the outskirts of Vienna.

Who is “the ragweed“?
Ragweed, common hogweed, annual ragweed, low ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia): This is the most common ragweed species in Vienna. It was introduced as a neophyte and is meanwhile well established especially in the East and South of Austria. This species is annual and may grow up to 1,8m. It can occur also around bird houses and gardens due to contaminated bird food.
Perennial ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya): This species produces less seed because it spreads mainly through their roots.
Giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida): It possesses three-feathered leaves in contrast to other species of ragweed (feathered leaves) and may grow until 4m height.

Cross-reactivity to pollen of other plants: to other genera within the same family of composite plants (Asteraceae), among others mugwort

• The Pollenservice Vienna is part of the University Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Medical University of Vienna.
• The collaboration with GeoSphere Austria involves comparing forecasts and exchanging pollen and weather data. 
• The Pollenservice Vienna is official partner of the Gesundheitsdienst (MA15) of the City of Vienna.