Summary
The hot, dry weather conditions at most of the South African sampling sites resulted in very low pollen and mould or fungal spores in the atmosphere. The exceptions were cities where there was higher humidity, or some rain such as Durban, Kimberley and Pretoria.
Cape Town
Pollen and mould loads were light during this prolonged period of hot, dry weather. Trees detected included maple (Acer spp.), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), walnut (Juglandaceae), acacia (Acacia spp) and peppertree (Schinus spp). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were extremely low.
Calvinia
The sampler at this site should be operational from next week. Archived and recent data averages are shown. Moulds are likely to be low together with tree, grass and weed pollen. Flowering weeds detected in autumn are the daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceaea). Trees would be karee (Rhus) and gum (Myrtaceae).
Johannesburg
Grass pollen was low. Trees were similarly low and included Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), Cape holly (Ilex spp.) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), mugwort (Artemisia spp), knotweed (Persicaria spp.) bulrush (Typhaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae) the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and sedge (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
Extremely low pollen was detected in the air at this site. The only tree pollen detected was cypress (Cupressaceae) and willow (Salicaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were moderate as ascospores and the fungal spores Aspergillus/Penicillium and Cladosporium increased.
Bloemfontein
Grasses were low. Low tree pollen included acacia (Acacia spp.), false olive (Budleja), olive (Oleaceae), elm (Ulmaceae) poplar (Populaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and karee (Rhus/Seasia spp.). Low weeds were mugwort (Artenmisia spp), plantain (Plantaginaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Tree, grass and weed pollen was low at this site. Only mulberry (Moraceae) tree pollen was detected. Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and ragweed (Ambrosia spp). Moulds were moderate due to the contribution of ascospores and the allergenic fungal spore Cladosporium.
Durban
Tree, grass and weed pollen levels were very low at this sampling site. Tree pollen detected this week was mulberry (Moarceae), gum (Myrtaceae), hackberry (Celtis spp) and walnut (Juglandaceae). Weeds were nettle (Urticaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were moderate due to strong spikes for ascospores.
Gqeberh
: Tree, weed and grass pollen was very low at this site. Trees detected were only gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), sedge (Cyperaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were very low.
Potchefstroom
This sampling site is operating again and pollen findings should be available from next week.
