Summary
Tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were consistently low during this midwinter sampling week.
Cape Town
The grass, tree and weed pollen counts were flat in this midwinter period. A few scant tree grains included cypress (Cupressaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were sorrel (Rumex), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and the carnation family (Apiaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg Central
This spore trap is still being repaired so please see Johannesburg South.
Johannesburg South
Pollen was low in all three categories at this site. The few tree pollen grains detected were karee (Searsia/Rhus), gum (Myrtaceae) and ash (Fraxinus). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
5-year means are given. All pollen and mould concentrations were low. Trees might include birch (Betulus), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), white stinkwood (Celtis) and oak (Quercus). Weeds are likely to be hopbush (Dodonaeae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae).
Bloemfontein
Extremely low pollen and mould concentrations were seen at this site where frost occurs overnight in June. Trees were sumac (Anacardiaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia) and weeds were lilies (Liliaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae).
Kimberley
Grasses would be very low at this site. Low tree concentrations would include bushwillow (Combretaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds would be goosefoot (Chenopdiaceae), sorrel (Rumex) and the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Moulds are likely to be very low. 5-year means are given.
Durban
Pollen concentrations in all three categories were very low at this site. Trees were false olive (Buddleia), Australian pine (Casuarina), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and willow (Salix). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations for grasses, trees and weeds were all low. Trees included cedar (Cedrus), cypress (Cupressaceae), guarri (Euclea) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and reed (Restionaceae). 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. These data are repeated from last week as the courier failed to deliver the pollen strip to the laboratory this week.
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
