Due to logistical challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic, count data from the same week in 2020 were used for this week’s report, except for Kimberley where current data is shown.
Cape Town
Low fungal spores, grasses, trees and weeds were seen during this hot, dry sampling week. The tree pollen was mostly eucalyptus (Myrtus) which is insect pollinated but these trees are flowering strongly in the Cape at present as well as very low numbers of white stinkwood (Celtis). Weed pollen detected was the daisy family (Asteraceae) and English Plantain (Plantago).
Johannesburg
Grass counts decreased from those of the previous week, but occasional moderate counts were recorded. Tree levels were low and included: birch (Betula), olive (Olea), oak (Quercus), mulberry (Morus), eucalyptus (Myrtus) and plane (Platanus). Low weed levels included: goosefoot (Chenopod), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and English Plantain (Plantago). Mould levels were uniformly low.
Pretoria
Grass counts have increased and the levels were moderate to high throughout the sampling week. Tree pollen levels were low and sparse numbers of jacaranda (Fabaceae), Erythrina (coral tree), olive (Olea) and Casuarina (Australian pine) were detected. Weed counts were very low and consisted of Erica (Ericaceae), English Plantain (PLantago) and Stoebe, a large family of indigenous shrubs.
Bloemfontein
Grass levels increased sharply to moderate levels. Tree pollen was low and included acacia, sneezebush (Buddleja), cypress (Cupressus), eucalyptus (Myrtus), oak (Quercus) and olive (Olea). Weed pollen was similarly low and consisted of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and English Plantain (Plantago). Mould levels were consistently low.
Kimberley
Grass levels decreased but on warm, still days significant counts were detected. Low levels were detected for trees, namely acacia, white stinkwood (Celtis), olive (Olea) and Casuarina (Australian pine) and weeds, the daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopod). The mean mould count was low, but significant scores were seen for Alternaria, an allergenic fungal spore, or mould.
Durban
Fungal spores increased to high levels again this week. Grasses also increased, although the average count was low. Tree pollen numbers were low and only mulberry (Morus) pollen was detected. Low weed pollen included ferns (Polypod) the daisy family (Asteraceae) and sorrel (Rumex).
Gqeberha
Mould counts were low, but small spikes were seen for Cladosporium and ascospores. The tree levels were low and pollen detected included acacia, palm (Palmae), olive (Olea) , Rutaceae (the citrus family) and Casuarina (Australian pine). Weed pollen was also low and consisted of Protea and Erica.
