Summary
Overall pollen and fungal spore counts were low for most sites across South Africa. An increase in grass pollen was observed in Kimberley and tree counts were significant in Bloemfontein. Durban had high fungal spore loads.
Cape Town
The tree, weed and grass levels were low during this period of cooler temperatures with rain. Tree pollen detected included cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), ash (Fraxinus), oak (Quercus sp.), olive (Oleaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds included bulrush (Typhaceae), erica (Ericaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), sorrel (Rumex), sedges (Cyperaceae) and English plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were very low.
Johannesburg
Very low grass, tree and weed counts were detected. Tree pollen included pecan (Carya sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). The weed pollen detected were only spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were also low.
Pretoria
All pollen types were found in low numbers. Trees detected included karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), the ebony family (Ebenaceae), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds found were sedges (Cyperaceae), nettle (Urticaceae), the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae), and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low but small spikes for Cladosporium, an allergenic fungal spore, were seen on several days.
Bloemfontein
All pollen and fungal spore counts were low during this sampling period. Tree pollen included acacia (Acacia sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), plane (Platanus sp.) and karee (Rhus sp. / Searsia sp.). The weed pollen detected were from the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), English plantain (Plantago sp.) and pigmyweeds (Crassula sp.).
Kimberley
Moderate grass counts were detected. Low tree counts included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), pecan (Carya sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), privet (Ligustrum sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), sweetgum (Liquidambar sp.) and the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Weed levels were low, and included ice plants (Aizoaceae), mugwort (Artemesia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), aloes (Asphodelaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), English plantain (Plantago sp.), knotweeds (Polygonaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were also low.
Durban
All pollen categories had low scores during this sampling week. Trees detected included the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria angustifolia), mulberry (Moraceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.), olive (Oleaceae), acacia (Acacia sp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), buckthorn (Rhamnaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and poplar (Populus sp.). Weeds found were nettle (Urticaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and English plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were high with strong spikes for ascospores.
Gqeberha
New counts were not available at the time of reporting and will get updated as soon as possible. The counts from the previous sampling period are presented here. Tree and weed pollen levels were low, and grasses were moderate. Trees detected included acacia (Acacia sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds included pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were low.
