Summary
Grasses were moderate in Kimberley but the tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations at all the other sites were low.
Cape Town
Pollen and fungal spores were low at this coastal site during early winter rainy weather. Trees detected included karee (Rhus/Searsia) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia) and erica (Ericaceae).
Johannesburg:
This spore trap is being repaired. Please see Johannesburg South.
Johannesburg South
Pollen and mould concentrations were very low. Trees included karee (Rhus/Searsia) gum (Myrtaceae) and ash (Fraxinus). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and caltrops (Zygophyllaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
Pollen and fungal spore concentrations were low at this site. Trees were cypress (Cupressaceae, polar (Populaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were spurges (Euphorbiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
Extremely low concentrations of pollen and moulds were detected at this sampling site as the ambient temperature declined sharply. Trees were sumac (Anacardiaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae) and mallows (Malvaceae).
Kimberley
Grasses were moderate. Low tree concentrations included olives (Oleaceae). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae). erica (Ericaceae) and mallows (Malvaceae). Moulds were low. Last week’s findings were used as the courier failed to deliver the pollen strip to the laboratory in time for analysis.
Durban
Pollen and mould concentrations were low. Trees included mulberry (Moraceae) and gum (Myrtaceae) and weeds were the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae).
Gqeberha
The results have not yet been posted so last week’s findings are repeated. 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:
Pollen concentrations were very low at this site. Trees were waxberry (Morella) and pine (Pinaceae) and weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and reeds (Restionaceae). Moulds were also low.
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
