Summary: High grass levels were recorded in Kimberley. Tree and weed counts approached significance in Cape Town. Fungal spore levels were high in Durban and counts approaching significance were recorded in Kimberley and Pretoria.
Cape Town
Tree and weed counts approached significance. Tree pollen was dominated by the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and gum tree (Myrtaceae), with lower levels of birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), the ebony family (Ebenaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae) seen. The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), protea (Proteaceae), fern spores (Polypodiaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.) and nettles (Urticaceae). Grass and fungal spore counts were low.
Calvinia
All pollen categories as well as fungal spore counts were low during this sampling period. Tree pollen included only the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and waxberry (Morella sp.), while the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae) were detected in the weeds category.
Johannesburg
All pollen categories as well as fungal spore counts were low. The trees detected were Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds included pigweeds (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and erica (Ericaceae).
Pretoria
Fungal spores approached significance during this sampling period, but all other pollen categories were low. Tree pollen included only cypress (Cupressaceae) and oak (Quercus sp.). The weeds detected were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type).
Bloemfontein
Grasses were low. Low tree levels included cypress (Cupressaceae), waxberry (Morella sp.), karee (Searsia/Rhus sp.), and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettles (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grasses were reduced by rain, but a high average count was still recorded for this sampling week. Trees and weeds were low. The trees detected were waxberry (Morella sp.), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds included goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were significant, with strong spikes for ascospores and the allergenic mould Cladosporium.
Durban
Grass, tree and weed pollen was low throughout this sampling period. Trees identified included karee (Searsia/Rhus sp.), white mulberry (Moraceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), ash (Fraxinus sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodicaeae). Moulds were high owing to a strong peak for ascospores.
Gqeberha
All pollen categories as well as fungal spore counts were very low. Waxberry (Myricaceae) was the only tree pollen detected. Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type).
