Summary
Cape Town and Durban had high pollen counts, both due to peaks in the weed pollen category. Bulrush is flowering across South Africa and delivered significant counts in Cape Town, while it was nettle pollen that peaked in Durban. Durban also showed high levels of fungal spores. The rest of the country had low to moderate pollen counts, with low mould levels.
Cape Town
Grass and weed levels were moderate during this week, with low tree pollen counts. Tree pollen included cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), pepper tree (Schinus sp.) and the persimmon family (Ebenaceae). In the weeds category bulrush (Typhaceae) was still high, but plantain (Plantaginaceae) counts decreased from the previous week. Other weeds detected were sedges (Cyperaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the buchu or citrus family (Rutaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spore counts were also low.
Johannesburg
Low tree, grass and weed pollen was seen. The trees detected were citrus (Citrus sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Mould counts were also low.
Pretoria
Low levels of grass, weed and tree pollen were seen. Tree pollen included cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and the monkey puzzle tree (Araucariaceae). The weed pollen types present were bulrush (Typhaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and figworts (Scrophulariaceae). Mould counts were also low.
Bloemfontein
Low tree, weed and grass counts were seen during this sampling period. Tree pollen included mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.). The weed pollens detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and pigmyweeds (Crassula sp.). Mould counts were low.
Kimberley
Due to courier delays, new data could not be added for this site. The data from the previous week is repeated. Moderate tree and grass pollen levels with low weed levels were seen during this week. Tree pollen was dominated by olive (Oleaceae) and lower levels of the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), waxberry (Myricaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mesquite (Prosopis sp.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar sp.) were seen. The weed pollen detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), mallows (Malvaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and sorrel (Rumex sp.). Fungal spore counts were low.
Durban
Fungal spore and weed levels were moderate, with low tree and grass pollen counts seen. The trees detected were acacia (Acacia sp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), the pea family (Fabaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), waxberry (Myricaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and sweetgum (Liquidambar sp.). Weeds included sedges (Cyperaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Gqeberha
Overall low pollen and fungal spore counts were seen in all categories. Tree pollen included acacia (Acacia sp.), olive (Oleaceae) and the monkey puzzle tree (Araucariaceae). The weed pollen detected were only pigweed (Amaranthus sp.) and the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae).
