Tree pollen is high in Gauteng and the Free State and plane is the dominant tree. Rain has reduced all pollen in the atmosphere in coastal areas especially in the Western Cape. However, grass levels quickly become significant on warm days in Cape Town and George,
Cape Town
All pollen and fungal spore concentrations decreased during the last sampling week as a cold front reached Cape Town and temperatures plummeted and remained low. Snow fell on high lying ground. Tree pollen included mulberry (Moraceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), pine (Pinaceae), oak (Quercus spp.) and plane (Platanaceae). Weeds detected were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and English Plantain (Plantaginaceae). Grasses were low with one spike on a single warm day and moulds were low.
Johannesburg
The tree count is high. Dominant tree pollen is plane (Platanaceae), African stinkwood (Celtis spp.), mulberry (Moraceae) and oak (Quercus spp.).Other flowering trees are palm (Arecaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus spp.) sweetgum (Liquidamber), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), willow (Salicaceae), poplar (poulaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.), elm (Ulmaceae) and pine (Pinaceae), Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), pigweed (Amaranthaceae), spurges (Euphorbiacae) and the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae),
Pretoria
The site for pollen trapping is currently being changed so no findings are available.
Bloemfontein
Tree pollen soared as the tree flowering season approached its peak. Very high mulberry (Moraceae=1308/cu m) concentrations were followed by high scores for plane (Platanaceae=845/cu m), birch (Betulaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Other trees detected in small quantities were acacia (Acacia spp.), ash (Fraxinus spp.), false olive (Buddleja spp), karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.) yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were moderate sedges (Cyperaceae) and low numbers of the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and pigmy weeds (Crassula spp. Grasses and moulds were low.
Kimberley
Low pollen and mould concentrations were recovered during this sampling week, but on one spp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were very low.
Durban
This will be updated as soon as the counts
Gqeberha
No findings were received from this site.
Potchefstroom
Trees: plane (Platanaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and oak (Quercus spp.) pollen on a steep increase; Pine (Pinaceae), low but higher than previous days; Cypress (Cupresscaeae),steadily decreasing; Douglas fir (Pinaceae) recorded. Celtis/Searsia/podocarp/elm/linden rare, some birch (Betula) peaks. Few ash (Fraxinus spp) and grass pollen grains were seen. Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and croton (Euphorbiaceae), Moulds were low.
George
Pollen concentrations were reduced by cold weather with lower tempeartures but small spikes in the tree counts were seen on warmer days. Trees included mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae),oak (Quercus spp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cedar (Cedrus spp,), karee (Rhus/Searsia), elm (Ulmaceae),plane (Platanaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and acacia (Acacia spp.), Weeds were goosefoot (Chenodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), knotweed (Persicaria spp.) and protea (Proteaceae). Grasses were low, as were moulds.
