Summary
Overall low pollen and fungal spore levels were seen across South Africa. Although no new data were available for Durban, predicted counts for this time of year show moderate fungal spore levels.
Cape Town
All pollen categories were low during this sampling period. Trees included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), waxberry (Morella sp.), gum (Myrtaceae) and plane (Platanaceae). The weeds detected were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Mould spores were also low.
Calvinia
Low pollen and fungal spore counts were seen. The tree pollen detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds found were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae).
Johannesburg
Low levels of grass, tree and weed pollen were seen, with a slight peak in grass pollen towards the end of the week. Tree pollen included birch (Betulaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). The weeds found included pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spores were low.
Pretoria
All pollen and fungal spore levels were low during this sampling period. Trees detected were cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), gum Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populus sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and buckwheat (Polygonaceae).
Bloemfontein
Grass, tree and weed pollen levels were all low during this sampling period. Trees detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). The only weed identified was protea (Proteaceae). Moulds were very low and heavy deposits of particulate matter were seen.
Kimberley
Courier delays meant no new data were available for this site, so results from last week are repeated. Low pollen levels were detected. Trees included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and forest elder (Nuxia sp.). Weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were generally low. The allergenic spore Alternaria increased, but only one significant count for this spore occurred.
Durban
The spore trap is down for repairs but projected counts, based on two previous years’ sampling and a detailed weather report for the current week, is given here. Tree, grass and weed pollen levels were low. Trees usually detected at this time of the year include cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), forest elder (Nuxia sp.) and birch (Betulaceae). Weeds flowering at this time are goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), mistletoe (Loranthaceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds are generally moderate and small spikes in the allergenic fungal spore, Cladosporium, are likely to have occurred when light rain was followed by warm days.
Gqeberha
Very low pollen levels were detected. Only cedar (Cedrus sp.) was seen in the trees category. The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), carnations (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and restios (Restionaceae). Fungal spores were also low.
