Summary
Low temperatures and rain removed pollen and fungal spores from the atmosphere and this can be seen in the low figures. The only elevated scores were seen in Potchefstroom and Durban, where moulds were moderate.
Cape Town
Pollen concentrations remain very low during this early winter period. No grass pollen was detected. Trees included forest elder (Nuxia spp.), gum (Myrtaceae) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia spp.), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sorrel (Rumex spp.) and sedge (Cyperaceae). Mould spores were low with small spikes for basidiospores (Includes mushrooms).
Calvinia
Extremely low pollen concentrations were observed at this sampling site. Grasses were low and no tree pollen was detected. Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia spp.), sorrel (Rumex spp.) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were very low.
Johannesburg
All pollen concentrations were very low at this site. Trees included Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), beech (Fagus spp.), olive (Oleaceae), pine (PInaceae), buckthorns (Rhamncaeae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and slangbos. Mould spores were very low.
Pretoria
Pollen in the categories of trees, grasses and weeds was very low. Trees included beech (Fagus spp.) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were ferns (Polypodiaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
Pollen in all three categories was very low. Tree pollen included mulberry olive pine and karee. The only weed pollen detected was the daisy family (Asteraceae). Mould spores were extremely low.
Kimberley
The spore trap motor is currently being replaced and it will operate again from next week.
Previous pollen concentrations for this time period were very low, while occasional spikes for Cladosporium occurred.
Durban
Pollen concentrations were low. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae) and waxberry (Morella spp.). Weeds mugwort (Artemisia) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Mould spores were moderate with random spikes for the allergenic fungal spore Cladosporium and ascospores.
Gqeberha
All pollen concentrations were low. Trees detected were waxberry (Morella spp.). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and lily (Liliaceae). Mould spores were very low.
Potchefstroom
Only two days findings were available due to clock failure. All pollen concentrations were low. Trees included palm (Arecaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) only. Moulds were low, with significant spikes for the allergenic weed Cladosporium.
