Summary
Tree and weed pollen levels were low at all the sites. Grasses were moderate in Kimberley, Calvinia and Bloemfontein but have decreased to low levels at all the other sampling sites. Moulds were moderate in Durban, but low across the rest of the country.
Cape Town
Grass, tree and weed levels were low at this site. Trees detected were the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), waxberry (Morella sp.), forest elder (Nuxia sp.), gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). The mould load was slight, but small spikes were seen for ascospores after rain.
Calvinia
Moderate grass counts with low tree, weed and mould levels were detected during this sampling period. Tree pollen included only the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and bushwillow (Combretaceae). The daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae) were seen in the weeds category.
Johannesburg
Very low pollen and mould counts were seen. Tree pollen included olive (Oleaceae), lindens (Tiliaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). The weeds detected were pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and erica (Ericaceae).
Pretoria
Grass, tree and weed pollen levels were low. Tree pollen included bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spores were also not significant.
Bloemfontein
Moderate grass levels with low tree, weed and mould counts were seen. Tree pollen included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). The weeds detected were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Kimberley
Samples did not arrive in time to be analysed for this report, so last week’s results are repeated. Moderate grass counts with low tree and weeds counts were seen. Tree pollen included only the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and waxberry (Myricaceae). The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), buckwheat (Polygonaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and caltrops (Zygophyllaceae). Mould counts were low.
Durban
The pollen of grasses, trees and weeds was low during this sampling period. Trees detected included palms (Arecaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulaceae), white mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Morella sp.), forest elder (Nuxia sp.) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds included ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), protea (Proteaceae), mugwort (Artemisia sp.), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were moderate.
Gqeberha
All categories of pollen were low during this period. Waxberry (Morella sp.) was the only tree detected and slangbos (Stoebe-type) was the only weed identified. Mould loads were slight.
