Most sites reported low pollen and fungal spore concentrations, but tree counts are steadily picking up across the country as we head into spring. Cape Town had high tree pollen levels, but current rainy weather will likely lower these counts in the next sampling period. Notable tree species that are flowering across the country include cypress, pine, birch, plane and mulberry.
Cape Town
Grass and weed pollen counts were low. Tree pollen levels were high, with cypress (Cupressaceae) being the dominant pollen type detected. Other tree pollen recorded in moderate levels were gum (Myrtaceae) and pine (Pinaceae), with lower levels of mulberry (Moraceae), beech (Fagus sp.), plane (Platanus sp.), yellowwood (Pododcarpus sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.) also present. Weed pollen included ericas (Ericaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), English plantain (Plantago sp.), sorrel (Rumex sp.), knotweed (Polygonaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Mould levels were low.
Johannesburg
Grass and weed pollen counts were low. Tree pollen was moderate and included acacia (Acacia sp.), birch (Betula sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanus sp.), poplar (Populus sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.) and willow (Salix sp.). The weed pollen detected were sedges (Cyperaceae), mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae sp.), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), ericas (Ericaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Mould counts were low.
Pretoria
Grasses, weeds and fungal spore levels were low. Tree pollen counts were moderate and included birch (Betula sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), jacaranda (Jacaranda sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinus sp.), plane (Platanus sp.) and karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.). Slangbos (Stoebe-type) was the only weed pollen detected.
Bloemfontein
Grass and weed pollen levels were low. Tree counts were moderate, with pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanus sp.) and karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.) pollen recorded. The daisy family (Asteraceae) was the only weed pollen present. Mould levels were low.
Kimberley
Tree and grass pollen levels were low. Trees included cypress (Cupressaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and pepper tree (Schinus spp.). No weed pollen was detected, and mould counts were low.
Durban
Tree, grass and weed pollen levels were low, but the variety of pollen types increased. Trees included cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), beech (Fagus sp.), mulberry (Moraceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low overall with moderate spikes for Cladosporium, an allergenic fungal spore/mould.
Gqeberha
Grass, tree and weed pollen counts were low. Tree pollen included acacia (Acacia sp.), cedar (Cedrus sp.), Australian pine (Casaurina sp.), pine (Pinaceae), waxberry (Myricaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), katstert (Anthospermum sp.), ericas (Ericaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Mould / fungal spore levels were low.
