Weekly Report

14 May 2021

City
Overall Risk
Tree Pollen
Grass Pollen
Weed Pollen
Mould Spores

Cape Town

Low grass, tree and weed levels were seen at this site. Trees detected were pepper tree (Schinus sp.) and forest elder (Nuxia sp.). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae) and mugwort (Artemisia sp.). Moulds were extremely low, especially around periods of rain. Particulate matter is still heavy on days when the wind is blowing in a north-westerly direction.

Johannesburg

Grass, tree and weed pollen levels were low. Tree pollen included birch (Betula sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum tree (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and pine (Pinus sp.). The weed pollen types detected were the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and ericas (Ericaeae). Mould levels were also low.

Pretoria

Low grass levels were detected at this site. Tree levels were low and gum (Myrtaceae), karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.), sand olive (Dodonaea sp.) and marula (Sclerocarya sp.) were present in the atmosphere. Low weed counts included only slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.

Bloemfontein

Grass levels were moderate during this sampling period. Tree and weed levels were low. Tree pollen detected included pine (Pinus sp.), karee (Searsia sp. / Rhus sp.), gum tree (Myrtaceae) and acacia (Acacia sp.). The weed pollen found were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Mould counts were low.

Kimberley

Low grass levels were detected. Trees were similarly low and only karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.) was detected. Low weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), protea (Proteaceae) and sorrel (Polygonaceae). Moulds were low with small spikes for Cladosporium.

Durban

Grasses were low. Trees were also low, and the types detected were waxberry (Morella sp.), forest elder (Nuxia sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), Australian pine or beefwood (Casuarina sp.), pepper tree (Schinus sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae) and karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.). Low weed levels included the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were high with strong spikes for ascospores and smaller spikes for Cladosporium.

Gqeberha

Grass, tree and weed pollen levels were low. Tree pollen in this sampling period included Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpus sp.) and olive (Oleaceae). The weed pollen detected were the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), proteas (Proteaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), ericas (Ericaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Mould levels were low.