Summary
The winter flowering cypress tree is the dominant pollen in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. Low temperatures and rain at many sites reduced pollen in the ambient air but the greater variety of tree pollen indicates the beginning of the tree pollen season.
Cape Town
Very low concentrations were seen for tree, grass and weed pollen. Trees included cypress (Cupressaceae) and sumac (Anacardiaceae) and sorrel (Rumex). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg Central
Loadshedding rendered four days unreadable but tree pollen is high and tree concentrations are still dominated by cypress (Cupressaceae). Other flowering trees included acacia (Acacia-type), Australian pine (Casuarina), gum (Myrtaceae), ash (Fraxinus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and karee (Searsia). the only weed detected was lily (Liliaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Tree pollen was lower but significant concentrations for cypress (Cupressaceae) occurred again on sunny days. Other flowering trees included birch (Betulus), ash (Fraxinus), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Searsia). The only weed pollen detected was the daisy family (Asteraceae) and moulds were low.
Pretoria
Tree pollen would be low and the flowering trees might include ash (Fraxinus), birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae), willow (Salicaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), karee (Searsia) and gum (Myrtaceae). Grasses would be low and weeds might include nettles (Urticaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) op-bush (Dodonaea) and the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Moulds would be low. 5-year means were used.
Bloemfontein
Pollen counts were seen in low concentrations at this site, but the early rains would have inhibited the release of pollen. Flowering trees included sumac (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), plane (Platanaceae) and karee (Searsia). The dominant tree was cypress which reached significant levels. Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), crassula (Crassulaceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Pollen in all three categories was found in low concentrations in the air. Trees were birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleia) poplar (Populaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and karee (Searsia). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
Tree, grass and weed pollen was low. Trees detected included monkey puzzle (Auracaria), beech (Fagus sylvatica), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae)mulberry (Moraceae), elm (Ulmaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were the carrot family (Apiaceae). Moulds were low but small peaks were seen again this week for the allergenic mould Cladosporium.
Gqeberha
Grasses would be low. Flowering trees are likely to include gum (Myrtaceae), waxberry (Morella), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), pine (Pinaceae, cypress (Cupressaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds might be sedges (Cyperaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds would be low. 5-year means were used.
George
Very low tree, grass and weed pollen would appear in the air of this town with high winter rainfall. Trees might be yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and waxberry (Morella). Protea (Proteaceae) and erica (Ericaceae) would represent the weeds and grasses and moulds would be low. Two-year means were used.
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