Summary
Airborne pollen was found in low concentrations at all sites except Bloemfontein, where tree pollen is approaching moderate levels.
Cape Town
Low pollen concentrations included the trees Morella (waxberry), poplar (Populaceae) and oak (Quercus). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia) erica (Ericaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were scarce.
Johannesburg
Pollen in all categories is low at this time of the year. Trees present include bushwillow (Combretaceae), beech (Fagaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), elm (Ulmaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and linden (Tiliaceae). Weeds would be pigweed (Amaranthaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and heather (Ericaceae). Moulds are low. The motor for this spore trap failed and so 5-year means are shown.
Johannesburg South
Tree grass and weed pollen remains low. Tree pollen included gum (Myrtaceae) and weed pollen was pigweed (Amaranthaceae). Moulds were low. This spore trap is not operating so last week’s findings are repeated.
Pretoria:
Pollen concentrations were low. Trees detected included cypress (Cupressaceae), the pea family (Fabaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtacaeae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low, but small spikes for the allergenic mould Cladosporium were noted.
Bloemfontein
Tree pollen is increasing and moderate concentrations were detected. Trees identified were gum (Myrtaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Trees usually detected at this time of the year include karee (Rhus/Searsia), bushwillow (Combretaceae), birch (Betulus) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds would be spurges (Euphorbiaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and mezereum (Thmelaeaceae). Moulds are low. Couriers delayed these results so 5-year means are given.
Durban
Pollen concentrations were low at this site. Trees included mulberry (Moraceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations were low. Trees detected were ebony (Ebenaceae) and olive (Oleaceae) and weeds were katstert (Anthospermum), slangbos (Stoebe-type) mugwort (Artemisia), sedges (Cyperaceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds were low.
George
At the same time period in 2024 trees included karee (Rhus/Searsia), and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), protea (Proteaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were low. Couriers delayed transport of the pollen sample.
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
