Summary
Significant grass concentrations were found in Kimberley and Bloemfontein and grasses in Pretoria and Johannesburg are likely to be high. Ragweed was detected at the Durban and Kimberley sites.
Cape Town
Grass, tree and weed pollen and moulds were in very small concentrations in the ambient air after a week of high temperatures and gale force SE wind. Tree pollen included monkey puzzle (Araucariaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds were the citrus/buchu family (Rutaceae).
Johannesburg
No findings are available for this site. Archived data show significant grass concentrations and low levels of flowering trees (gum, elm and Australian pine) and weeds like sedges, pigweed and erica. Moulds at this time of year are low.
Pretoria
No findings are available but last week’s findings and previous years have shown grasses to be increasing and flowering trees to include birch, mulberry and olive. Weeds would be sedges, spurges and plantain and moulds would be low.
Bloemfontein
Moderate grass concentrations were seen at this site, along with moderate trees. The dominant types were mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Other trees included acacia (Acacia-type), cypress (Cupressaceae), birch (Betulaceae), ash (Fraxinus), false olive (Buddleja), poplar) Populaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were moderate too and these were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crasullaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and mallows (Malvaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grasses reached significant concentrations. Tree pollen was scarce and included birch (Betula) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds, though found in low concentrations included ragweed (Ambrosia), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low but ascospores increased after rain.
Durban
Low grass concentrations were detected at this site. Trees were similarly low and included mulberry (Moraceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia) goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were moderate with strong spikes for ascospores and smaller peaks for basidiospores (includes mushrooms).
Gqeberha
Pollen in all three categories was low. Tree pollen included waxberry (Morella) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and reeds (Restionaceae). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
No data are available. If possible this site will be updated when data is received.
George
Tree, grass and weed pollen counts were low at this site. Trees included the beautiful monkey puzzle (Auracariaceae) and Australian pine (Casuarina). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and ferns. Moulds/fungal spores increased after rain when strong spikes were seen for ascospores and smaller spikes occurred for the allergenic mould Cladosporium.
