Summary
Tree pollen is increasing in Bloemfontein where a significant peak for oak tree was seen. After the very cold weather in many parts of the country, grasses and weeds were low.
Cape Town
Low concentrations of grass, tree and weed pollen were seen at this sampling site. Trees were karee (Rhus/Searsia) and waxberry (Morella), and weeds were mugwort (Artemisia). Moulds were very low during this cold and rainy period with light snowfalls on Table Mountain.
Johannesburg
The spore trap at this site is being repaired. Means of the last five years are shown. Pollen and mould concentrations were consistently low at this site. Trees are likely to be cypress (Cupressaceae), oak (Quercus) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds are usually the daisy family (Asteraceae), mallows (Malvaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and protea (Proteaceae). Moulds are low.
Johannesburg South
Grass concentrations were low. Low tree pollen counts included gum (Myrtaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and olive (Oleaceae). Weed counts were very low and only Asteraceae was identified. Moulds were low.
Pretoria
All pollen and mould concentrations were low. Trees included birch (Betulus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), the pea family (Fabaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) spurges (Euphorbiaceae), mint (Lamiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Bloemfontein
Tree counts rose to significant levels at this sampling site. Trees included bushwillow (Combretaceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), oak (Quercus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). The dominant tree was oak. Weeds were low and included lily (Liliaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae) and Moulds were very low.
Kimberley
Last week’s findings are shown due to courier failure. Trees were low and included birch (Betula), false olive (Buddleia), olive (Oleaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) poplar (Populaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Low weed concentrations included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), lily (Liliaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
All pollen and mould concentrations remained low at this site. Trees were cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae).
Gqeberha
All pollen concentrations were low. Trees included ebony (Ebenaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (Artemisia), blacktips (Bruniaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
George
Extremely low pollen concentrations were seen at this sampling site. Trees were waxberry (Morella) and no weed pollen was detected. Moulds were 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
