Tree pollen levels in Johannesburg were high, with a peak in plane tree pollen seen. Elsewhere tree pollen levels were low to moderate, in part due to cooler temperatures and rainy weather. Tree pollen levels should increase again during the next week of sampling where we can expect significant levels of plane, mulberry, birch, cypress, pine and oak. Grass, weed and mould levels were low to moderate across the country.
Cape Town
Grass, tree and weed pollen counts were low during this sampling period, due to cold and rainy weather. Tree pollen included beech (Fagus sp.), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.) and olive (Oleaceae). The weed pollen detected were aloe (Asphodelaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Mould levels were also low.
Johannesburg
Grass and weed pollen counts were low. Tree pollen was high due to a peak in plane tree (Platanus sp.) and moderate counts of birch (Betula sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinus sp.), oak (Quercus sp.) and poplar (Populus sp.) Other tree pollens detected were ash (Fraxinus sp.), acacia (Acacia sp.), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), karee (Rhus sp. / Seasia sp.), bushwillow (Combrataceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). The weed pollen detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae sp.), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), ericas (Ericaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Mould levels were low,
Pretoria
Tree pollen levels were moderate with birch (Betula sp.), plane (Platanus sp.), mulberry (Morus sp.), cypress (Cupressus sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), oak (Quercus sp.), jacaranda (Jacaranda sp.), pine (Pinus sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), gum (Myrtaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpus sp.) detected. The weed pollen present were the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). No grass pollen was detected during this sampling period. Mould levels were low.
Bloemfontein
Grass pollen levels were low, whereas trees and weeds were detected in moderate levels. Plane tree (Platanus sp.) was the only tree pollen detected during this sampling period. The weed pollen found include mugwort (Artemisia sp.) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Mould levels were low.
Kimberley
Tree and grass pollen concentrations were low. Bulrush (Typhaceae) was seen. Cypress pollen in the atmosphere is increasing. Other trees detected were pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Moderate levels were detected for weeds, largely due to the contribution of nettle (Urticaceae). Other weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), knotweed (Polygonaceae) the ice plant family (Aizoaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Mould counts were low.
Durban
Tree, grass and weed levels were low. Trees detected were pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and pecan (Carya spp.). Weeds included only the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were also low.
Gqeberha
Grass, tree, weed and mould levels were all low. Tree pollen included acacia (Acacia sp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cedar (Cedrus sp.), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), pine (Pinaceae), waxberry (Myricaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), katstert (Anthospermum sp.), mugwort (Artemisia), ericas (Ericaceae), protea (Proteaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and sedges (Cyperaceae).
