Summary
Fungal spore levels remain high in Kimberley and Durban, with spikes of allergenic spores present. Grass counts were moderate in Pretoria, Kimberley and likely Bloemfontein (no new data), but low elsewhere. Tree counts approached significance in Cape Town and Durban.
Cape Town
Grass and weed pollen counts were low, and tree pollen levels were approaching significance. Trees found included the cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), waxberry (Myricaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and elm (Ulmaceae). The weeds detected were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), fern spores (Polypodiaceae), the rose family (Rosaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spore counts were low.
Calvinia
Grass, tree and weed pollen levels were low during this sampling period. The only tree detected was gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and sorrel (Rumex sp.). Moulds were very low.
Johannesburg
All pollen categories as well as fungal spore counts were low. Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae) were the only tree pollen types detected. Weeds included pigweeds (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae.
Pretoria
Moderate grass counts were seen, but trees and weeds were low. Tree pollen included acacia (Acacia sp.), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populus sp.), plane (Platanus sp.) and willow (Salix sp.). Weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spore levels were also low.
Bloemfontein
No new data were available due to courier delays. The results from the previous sampling period is repeated. Significant grass and weed pollen counts were seen, with low tree and mould counts. The tree types detected were acacia (Acacia sp.), birch (Betulaceae), hackberry (Celtis sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds were dominated by sedges (Cyperaceae) and also included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmy weeds (Crassulaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and fern spores (Pteridaceae).
Kimberley
Moderate grass counts with very low tree and weed pollen levels were seen. Elm (Ulmaceae) was the only tree pollen recorded. The weeds category included the daisy family (Asteraceae), mallows (Malvaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spores remained high at this site, with spikes in the allergenic spore Cladosporium seen.
Durban
Fungal spores remain high at this site. Low grass and weed pollen counts were detected, with tree levels approaching significance. Tree pollen included bushwillow (Combretaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), waxberry (Myricaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), fern spores (Polypodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Gqeberha
All pollen categories as well as fungal spore counts were low. Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and waxberry (Myricaceae) were detected in the trees category. Weeds included only katstert (Anthospermum sp.)and slangbos (Stoebe-type).
