Summary
The tree counts are still moderate at some sites and the dominant trees are olive and pecan. Weeds are increasing and plantain is the dominant weed especially in Cape Town, where a strong spike was seen. Small peaks for the allergenic mould, Cladosporium were seen in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg.
Cape Town
Grasses were low until the end of the week, when they increased to moderate levels. Strong SE and SSE winds dispersed pollen. Tree concentrations were insignificant and included acacia (Acacia-type), bushwillow (Combretaceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), birch (Betulus), persimmon (Ebenaceae), pecan (Carya), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and monkey puzzle (Araucariaceae). Weeds were generally low, but a strong spike was seen for English Plantain (Plantaginaceae). Other weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and protea (Proteaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
Tree, grass and weed pollen was insignificant. Trees included birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleia) white stinkwood (Celtis), persimmon (Ebenaceae) and ash (Fraxinus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), sweet gum (Liquidamber), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), plane (Platanaceae), oak (Quercus), Karee (Rhus/Searsia) and willow (Salicaceae). Weeds were lily (Liliaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Pollen was moderate at this sampling site. Trees identified included Australian pine (Casuarina) bushwillow (Combretaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and copperleaf (Acalypha). Moulds were generally low, but a strong spike for the allergenic mould Cladosporium was seen on 5 November.
Pretoria
Trees are completing their flowering cycle at this time and would include bushwillow (Combretaceae), acacia (Acacia-type), karee (Rhus/Searsia), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), white stinkwood (Celtis) and walnut (Juglandaceae). Weeds would be sedges (Cyperaceae), protea (Proteaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and sorrel (Rumex). Moulds are low at this time of the year. 4-year means were calculated.
Bloemfontein
Grass and weed concentrations were low. Trees are slowly ending their flowering period. Trees detected were acacia (Acacia-type), false olive (Buddleia), bushwillow (Combretaceae), white stinkwood (Celtis), cypress (Cupressaceae), waxberry (Morella), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanaceae), poplar (Populaceae), oak (Quercus), buckthorn (Rhamnaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmy weeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), lilies (Liliaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Pollen in all three categories remained low during this sampling period. Rain near the end of the week increased mould spores. Grasses were low. Insignificant tree pollen concentrations included pecan (Carya), pine (Pinaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds were similarly low and include plantain (PLantaginaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae).
Durban
Grasses were low. Low tree concentrations included birch (Betulaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), pine (Pinaceae) and pecan (Carya). Weeds were also low and included sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were moderate as ascospores spiked after rain.
Gqeberha
Trees flowering now are likely to include Australian pine (Casuarina), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), pine (Pinaceae), olive (Oleaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and the monkey puzzle tree (Araucariaceae). Weeds are usually pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae) and erica (Ericaceae) and moulds are usually low. 4-year means were calculated.
Potchefstroom
This site is not operating.
George
The spore trap clock stuck and no results are available.
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
