Summary
Grasses are moderate to high at inland sites with summer rainfall.
Cape Town
Tree, grass and weed concentrations were insignificant. Trees included pine (Pinaceae), monkey puzzle (Araucariaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and gum. Weeds were sorrel (Rumex), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae), citrus/buchu (Rutaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were seen in low concentrations. These are repeated from the same time period as the spore trap in Cape Town is faulty.
Johannesburg Central
Grasses were high at this site. Low tree concentrations included birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleia), cypress (Cupressaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were low an included pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Grasses were high. Low tree concentrations included Mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), elm (Ulmaceae) and ash (Fraxinus). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and sedges ( Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
This site is being counted every third week. Past averages are low tree concentrations which include mulberry (Moraceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds are usually sedges (Cyperaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and moulds at this time are low.
Bloemfontein
Moderate grass concentrations were seen at this site, along with moderate trees. The dominant types were mulberry (Moraceae) and olive (Oleaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Other trees included acacia (Acacia-type), cypress (Cupressaceae), birch (Betulaceae), ash (Fraxinus), false olive (Buddleja), poplar) Populaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were moderate too and these the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and mallows (Malvaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grasses were moderate. Low trees included karee (Rhus/Searsia). Low weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and protea (Proteaceae). Moulds were low during this dry period.
Durban
Insignificant concentrations of pollen in all three categories were seen. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae) and mulberry (Myrtaceae). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), nettle (Urticaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were sparse.
Gqeberha
Results for this site were not received.
George
The spore trap is faulty. Tree, grass and weed pollen is usually low at this time of year. Trees are karee (Rhus/Searsia), pine (Pinaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds are the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae) and protea (Proteaceae). Moulds are usually low, but may spike after 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
