Summary
Coastal wind and rain reduced the pollen concentrations in Cape Town, George, Gqeberha and Durban. Small tree spikes continued in Bloemfontein and Johannesburg city. No grass or weed peaks occurred but moulds increased sharply in Durban.
Cape Town
Gale force south-easterly wind and rain reduced the pollen count but on the few warm sunny days of this week moderate grass counts were recorded. Trees included yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), pine (Pinaceae), oak (Quercus, ash (Fraxinus) and olive (Oleaceae), Low weed counts included goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg Central
The dominant tree was willow (Salix). Lower concentrations were seen for Bushwillow (Combretaceae), plane (Platanaceae). Persimmon (Ebenaceae), false olive (Buddleia), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus), jacaranda (Bignoniaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae and oak (Quercus). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), lilies (Liliaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Low pollen concentrations were detected at this site. Trees were the pea family (Fabaceae), waxberry (Morella), pine (Pinaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), oak (Quercus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia. Weeds included sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), rushes (Juncaceae), reeds (Thymelaeaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
Grass and weed pollen levels at this time are low low, while tree pollen is moderate. Significant levels may be seen seen for mesquite (Prosopis) – an allergenic tree. Low tree pollen levels are usually detected for acacia (Acacia type), hackberry (Celtis), bushwillow (Combretaceae), jacaranda (Bignoniaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weed types detected would include nettle (Urticaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds are generally low. 5 year means are shown.
Bloemfontein
The trees have almost completed their flowering cycle, so the overall concentrations are now low and include acacia (Acacia-type), bushwillow (Combretaceae), birch (Betulus), white stinkwood (Celtis), karee (Rhus/Searsia), gum (Eucalyptus), ash (Fraxinus), poplar (Populaceae), waxberry (Morella), cypress (Cupressaceae) and false olive (Buddleia). Weeds are the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and lilies (Liliaceae). Moulds are low.
Kimberley
All pollen counts are low at this site, but a variety of trees are flowering. Trees are pecan (Carya), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), oak (Quercus), ash (Fraxinus) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds are the daisy family (Asteraceae), sorrel (Rumex), mallows (Malvaceae), nettles (Urticaceae, plantain (Plantaginaceae) and protea (Proteaceae). Moulds are low.
Durban
Pollen concentrations are low, but a greater variety of trees was seen. Tree types are yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), ash (Fraxinus), persimmon (Ebenaceae), birch (Betulus), mulberry (Moraceae) and acacia (Acacia-type. Weeds are nettles (Urticaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds increased sharply after frequent rain during this sampling period. Large spikes were seen for ascospores and small spikes for the allergenic mould Cladosporium.
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations are consistently low. Trees are the sand olive (Dodonaea), waxberry (Morella), karee (Rhus/Searsia), the pea family (Fabaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and marula (Sclerocarya). Weeds are the ice plant (Aizoaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), reeds (Restionaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds are low.
George
Only one day was harvested so accurate counts cannot be given. Tree pollen includes yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), which is still the dominant tree, persimmon (Ebenaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and oak (Quercus). No weed or grass pollen was detected. Copious rain at this site would have reduced all pollen and mould in the air.
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
