Moderate (>5 grains/cubicmetre grass concentrations were found in Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Potchefstroom. Archived data 2020-2023 indicate that moderate grass counts would be found in Johannesburg at this time of year. No significant tree, weed or mould/fungal concentrations were detected.
Cape Town
The power to this spore trap failed after one day so mean counts from archived data are shown. Tree, grass and weed pollen is usually low at this time of year and moulds are low.
Johannesburg
Mean values from the previous four years are shown as this site is not operating. Grasses are usually moderate at this time. Trees are sparse and include gum (Myrtaceae) and bushwillow (Combretaceae), Weeds are low and include the daisy family Asteraceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type).
Pretoria
Grasses are low but increasing and concentrations were moderate on days without rain. Tree, weed and moulds were low. Trees detected included bushwillow (Combretaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and olive (Oleaceae) and weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
Grasses were moderate. Low tree counts included birch (Betulus). mulberry (Moraceae), ash (Fraxinus), false olive (Buddleja), poplar (Populaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grasses were moderate to high on rain free days. Trees were low and included gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were sparse and included the daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae. Moulds were low.
Durban:
Tree, grass and weed pollen was low at this site. Trees detected included mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds/shrubs were protea (Proteaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia), mallows (Malvaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low but small spikes were seen for ascospores after rain.
Gqeberha
Student rioting prevented access to the spore trap so no counts are available. Archived data means show low counts.
Potchefstroom
rasses ranged from low to high. Trees were barely present in the air and only karee (Rhus/Searsia) and elm (Ulmaceae), were detected. Weeds were low in number but diverse and included goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the mustard/cabbage family (Brassicaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettle (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
George
Pollen in the categories: Weeds and grasses was consistently low. No tree pollen types were seen. Weeds included erica (Ericaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
