Summary
Pollen levels were low across the country, except in Bloemfontein where moderate tree counts were seen. Fungal spore counts were also low throughout South Africa, but moderate in Durban where small spikes in the allergenic spore Cladosporium were seen.
Cape Town
Low tree, grass and weed levels were seen during this cooler period with intermittent rain. Trees detected included pine (Pinaceae), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and waxberry (Morella sp.). Weeds included proteas (Proteaceae), English plantain (Plantaginaceae), reeds (Juncaceae) and sorrel (Rumex sp.). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
Very low levels of grasses, weeds, trees and moulds were detected during this sampling period. Tree pollen included mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and oak (Quercus sp.). The weed pollen observed was from the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae).
Pretoria
Low levels of grasses, weeds, trees and moulds were detected. Tree pollen included acacia (Acacia sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), hackberry (Celtis sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), cedar (Cedrus sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), the walnut family (Juglandaceae) and the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). The weed pollen detected were sedges (Cyperaceae), protea (Proteaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), English plantain (Plantaginaceae), knotweeds (Polygonaceae) and sorrel (Rumex sp.).
Bloemfontein
Low grasses, weeds and fungal spores were detected. Moderate tree counts included pollen from acacia (Acacia sp.), pecan (Carya sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), plane (Platanus sp.), karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.) and the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Weed pollen detected were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), English plantain (Plantaginaceae) and pigmyweeds (Crassula sp.).
Kimberley
Low grass, weed, tree and mould levels were detected. Tree pollen included acacia (Acacia sp.), pecan (Carya sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), mesquite (Prosopis sp.), karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar sp.). The weeds observed were ice plants (Aizoaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), aloes (Asphodelaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), English plantain (Plantago sp.), sorrel (Rumex sp.) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Durban
Low grass, tree and weed pollen levels were seen at this site. Trees detected included waxberry (Morella sp.), acacia (Acacia sp.), olive (Oleaceae), pecan (Carya sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), mesquite (Prosopis sp.), the persimmon family (Ebenaceae) and karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.). Weed pollen included English plantain (Plantaginaceae), nettle (Urticaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were moderate with small spikes for the allergenic spore Cladosporium.
Gqeberha
Tree, grass and weed pollen levels were low. Trees detected included acacia (Acacia sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds included pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were low.
