Summary
Low levels of pollen and fungal spores were seen across South Africa.
Cape Town
Low levels of grass, trees and weeds were seen. The trees detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), waxberry (Morella sp.) and gum (Myrtaceae). The weeds were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), figworts (Scrophulariaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spore levels were low.
Calvinia
Pollen and mould levels were low at this site. Tree pollen detected was only the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Low grass levels were noted.
Johannesburg
Low levels of grass, tree and weed pollen were seen. Tree pollen included birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). The weeds found included mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae), buckwheat (Polygonaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spores were low.
Pretoria
All pollen and fungal spore levels were low during this sampling period. Trees detected were cypress (Cupressaceae), gum Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus sp.), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and willow (Salix sp.). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Fungal spores were low.
Bloemfontein
The public holiday delayed the delivery of the pollen strip to Cape Town for analysis. Last week’s readings are repeated. Grass, tree and weed pollen levels were all low during this sampling period. Trees detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). The only weed identified was protea (Proteaceae). Moulds were very low and heavy deposits of particulate matter were seen.
Kimberley
Very low pollen levels were detected, Trees identified were karee (Rhus sp.) elm (Ulmaceae), forest elder (Nuxia sp.) and the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). No weed pollen was detected.. Moulds were extremely low.
Durban
The spore trap is down for repairs but projected counts, based on two previous years’ sampling and a detailed weather report for the current week, is given here. Tree, grass and weed pollen levels were low. Trees usually detected at this time of the year include cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), forest elder (Nuxia sp.) and birch (Betulaceae). Weeds flowering at this time are goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), mistletoe (Loranthaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds are generally moderate and small spikes in the allergenic fungal spore, Cladosporium, are likely to have occurred when light rain was followed by warm days.
Gqeberha
Very low pollen levels were seen. Trees included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) and cedar (Cedrus sp.). The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), carnations (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
