Summary
Grass concentrations show peaks in Bloemfontein and Kimberley where concentrations are high and in Potchefstroom moderate grass concentrations were seen. The ragweed peak in Potchefstroom continues.
Cape Town
Insignificant pollen concentrations were detected during this cold sampling period with rain and gusting winds. Tree pollen included gum (Myrtaceae) and forest elder (Nuxia). No weed pollen was recovered and grasses were scanty, as were moulds.
Johannesburg
Means from the past three years (Lockdown period for 2020) show that all pollen and mould concentrations were consistently low. Trees typically seen include bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds seen included goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae).
Pretoria
Means from the past three years (Lockdown period for 2020) show that all pollen concentrations were consistently low. Moulds fluctuated according to weather patterns from low to moderate. Trees usually seen included acacia (Acacia-type), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and weeds are likely to be mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type).
Bloemfontein
Moderate grass concentrations were seen at this site, while tree and weed pollen was insignificant. Trees detected included birch (Betula), false olive (Buddleja), bushwillow (Combretaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), waxberry (Morella), poplar (Populaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were ice plants (Aizoaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedge (Cyperaceae) and fern Pellaeae (Pteridaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grasses were high. Tree and weed pollen was insignificant. Trees included mesquite (Prosopis), gum (Myrtaceae), forest elder (Nuxia), pine (Pinaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and poplar (Populaceae). Moulds were insignificant.
Durban
All pollen and mould concentrations were low. Trees detected included forest elder (Nuxia), sweet gum (Liquidamber) and birch (Betulus). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), mezereum (Thmelaeaceae), saltbush (Nitraria), ferns (Polypodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and buttercup (Ranunculaceae).
Gqeberha
No pollen counts were received from this site.
Potchefstroom
Significant concentrations (>10/cubic meter) were seen consistently for ragweed (Ambrosia). Other weeds were nettles (Urticaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), plantain (Plantaginaceae), pigweed (Amaranthaceae) and the daisy family) Asteraceae). Low tree concentrations included only karee (Rhus/Searsia). Grasses were moderate and moulds were generally low but with some spikes for Cladosporium, the allergenic mould.
George
Tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were low at this sampling site. Trees detected were gum (Myrtaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), forest elder (Nuxia) mulberry (Moraceae), Australian pine (Casuarina) and sweet gum (Liquidamber). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), dandelion (Taraxacum) and knotweed (Persicaria). Moulds were low with small spikes for basidiospores (Includes mushrooms).
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
