The latest report is delayed but will be posted today.
Summary
Pollen concentrations are low but the early flowering tree, cypress, is appearing in the air at many sites, indicating that the trees are about to start their spring flowering cycle. Grasses were moderate in Bloemfontein.
Cape Town
Pollen was scarce during this sampling week. Tree pollen included cypress (Cupressaceae) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) only. Moulds were insignificant.
Johannesburg
4-year means are given. There is a strong probability that this site will be operating in July. Trees normally seen at this time of year include bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), birch (Betulus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds would be goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), ferns (Polyppodiaceae), ericas (Ericaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and sorrel (Rumex). Moulds are invariably low.
Pretoria
4-year means are given. Trees seen at this time of year are gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), ash (Fraxinus), cypress (Cupressaceae) and oak (Quercus). Weeds are goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds are low.
Bloemfontein
Grasses were moderate and weeds and trees were low in this early winter period. Trees included sumac (Anacardiaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Morella), oak (Quercus), olive (Oleaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia), while weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), Fern Pellaeae (Pterodaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were insignificant.
Kimberley
All pollen concentrations were low during this cold early winter period with rain and snow in places. Tree pollen included bushwillow (Combretaceae, karee (Rhus/Searsia) and mesquite (Prosopis) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were spurges (Euphorbiaceae), sorrel (Rumex) and plantain. Moulds were sparse.
Durban
Pollen concentrations are at a low ebb during this early winter period. Trees included Myrtaceae (gum), waxberry (Morella) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds were ferns (Polypodiaceae),The daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were high, as ascospores increased following rain.
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations were extremely low during this cold and rainy sampling period. Trees identified included waxberry (Morella), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were aloe (Asphodelaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and reeds (Restionaceae). Moulds were very low.
Potchefstroom
No findings were received from this site. Data for 2023 for the equivalent week show trees to include gum (Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus) and palm (Arecaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were moderate.
George
Low concentrations of pollen were seen at this sampling site throughout the sampling period. Trees included bushwillow (Combretaceae), waxberry (Morella), cypress (Cupressaceae), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), and forest elder (Nuxia). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopdiaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low, but ascospores increased sharply when sunshine followed rain.
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre
