Summary
Low pollen and mould concentrations were detected at all the sampling sites during this very cold midwinter sampling week.
Cape Town
Pollen concentrations were low. No weed pollen was detected and tree pollen included cypress (Cupressaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg Central
Please see Johannesburg South.
Johannesburg South
Tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were low. Tree pollen included cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus) and karee (Searsia). No weed pollen was detected and moulds were low.
Pretoria
Pollen of trees, weeds and grasses was extremely low at this sampling site. Trees detected were cypress (Cupressaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), poplar (Populaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), nightshade (Solanaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
Low concentrations of pollen were seen at this sampling site. Trees were sumac (Anacardiaceae), monkey puzzle (Auraucaria angustifolia), karee (Searsia) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were erica (Ericaceae) and lily (Liliaceae). Moulds were extremely low.
Kimberley
Trees seen at this time of the year include karee (Searsia), forest elder (Nuxia), waxberry (Morella), bushwillow (Combretaceae), palm (Arecaceae) and the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). Weeds are likely to be spurges (Euphorbiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds are low. 5- year means are shown.
Durban
Low pollen concentrations for all three categories included the tree pollen cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), Australian oak (Casuarina) and poplar (Populaceae). Weeds were knotweed (Persicaria), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and mallows (Malvaceae). Moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations remain low in all the categories. Trees identified were cedar (Cedrus), cypress (Cupressaceae), olive (Oleaceae), waxberry (Morella), karee (Searsia) and persimmon (Ebenaceae). Weeds were katstert (Anthospermum), the daisy family (ragweed), blacktips (Bruniaceae), reeds (Restionaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
George
Pollen concentrations were found in extremely low concentrations at this cold and rainy coastal sampling site. The only tree pollen was waxberry (Morella) and the only weed pollen was aloe (Asphodelaceae). Moulds were very 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
