Summary
Pollen and mould concentrations were low at all the sampled sites in South Africa, but a greater variety of flowering trees at the inland sites indicates that spring is approaching.
Cape Town
Low pollen concentrations continued at this site. Trees were sumac (Anacardiaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina), hackberry (Celtis), cypress (Cupressaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), hemp (Cannabaceae), erica (Ericaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low, but small peaks were seen for the allergenic mould Alternaria.
Johannesburg
The pollen and mould concentrations are low at this time of the year. Trees identified might be cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Searsia). Weeds might be spurges (Euphorbiaceae), lily (Liliaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds would be scarce. 5-year means are shown due to malfunction of the spore trap which has been repaired.
Pretoria
At this time of the year, pollen would be low in all the categories, but a wider variety of tree pollen taxa would be in the air, including palm (Arecaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), karee (Searsia), cypress (Cupressaceae), poplar elm (Ulmaceae), oak (Quercus), plane (Platanaceae), acacia (Acacia-type), birch (Betula), olive (Oleaceae) and poplar (Populaceae). Weeds wight be knotweed (Persicaria), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), hopbush (Dodonaea) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds would be low. 5-year means are shown.
Bloemfontein
All pollen concentrations were very low. Trees included birch (Betula), false olive (Buddleia), hackberry (Celtis), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanaceae). gum (Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus), olive (Oleaceae), poplar (Populaceae), and karee (Searsia). No weed pollen was detected but fern spores (Polypodiaceae) were seen. Moulds were extremely low.
Kimberley
Very low pollen concentrations were observed at this sampling site. Trees were birch (Betula), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and waxberry (Morella) and weeds were mugwort (Artemisia) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
Pollen in all three categories was low at this site. Trees included the monkey puzzle tree (Araucariaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina), palm (Arecaceae), birch (Betula), karee (Searsia), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and oak (Quercus). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia), the daisy family), pigmyweed (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fern spores (Polypodiaceae) were detected and moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Pollen counts were low at this site. Trees were cedar (Cedrus), cypress (Cupressaceae), buckthorns (Rhamnaceae) and karee (Searsia).Weeds were katstert (Anthospermum), mugwort (Artemisia) and coffee bush (Briuniaceae) and moulds were low.
George
At this time of the year, pollen would be low in all three categories. Trees would be cypress (Cupressaceae), karee (Searsia) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds might be erica (Ericaceae) and aloe (Asphelodaceae). Moulds would be low. 2-yer means were calculated.
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