Summary
Pollen counts were generally low across South Africa during this sampling week. Low to moderate levels of tree pollen were only seen in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. No new data were available for Durban, but fungal spore counts were likely still moderate at this site.
Cape Town
Pollen and fungal spore counts were low during this sampling period. Tree pollen detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae) pine (Pinaceae) and plane (Platanus sp.). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), carnations (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), figworts (Scrophulariaceae), the nightshade family (Solanaceae) mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Calvinia
Pollen and mould counts were very low at this site. Trees detected were the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), olive (Oleaceae), mesquite (Prosopis sp.) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds included sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), dandelion (Taraxacum sp.), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae).
Johannesburg
Low to moderate tree counts with very low weed and grass counts were seen. The tree pollen recorded included hackberry (Celtis sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populus sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), and elm (Ulmaceae). Only sedges (Cyperaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae) were detected in the weeds category. Fungal spores were extremely low.
Pretoria
Moderate tree counts, with low grass and very low weed counts were recorded. Tree pollen included birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), chestnut (Hippocastanaceae), an increase in mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), mesquite (Prosopis sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), and Rhamnaceae (Buckthorns). The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), carnation (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spores were low.
Bloemfontein
Low to moderate tree counts with low grass and weed counts were recorded. The tree pollen detected were acacia (Acacia sp.), false olive (Buddleja sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spores were very low.
Kimberley
Tree, weed and grass pollen was scanty. Trees detected were gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae) and protea (Proteaceae). Moulds were generally low, but some significant spikes were seen for the allergenic spore, Cladosporium.
Durban
Courier delays meant no new data were available for this week, and the findings from last week are repeated. Tree, grass and weed pollen levels were consistently low at this site. Tree pollen detected included pecan (Carya sp.), acacia-type (Acacia sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). Weeds were mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), buckwheat (Polygonaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were moderate but decreased to low levels at the end of this sampling week due to rain.
Gqeberha
Very low levels of grass, weeds, trees and fungal spores were observed. Tree pollen included monkey puzzle (Araucariaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). Weeds included pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), katstert (Anthospermum sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae).
