Summary
Tree, grass and weed pollen counts were low at most sites. A small spike for weeds occurred in Johannesburg and fungal spore loads were moderate in Pretoria.
Cape Town
Grass, tree and weed pollen concentrations were low. Trees were palm (Arecaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), forest elder (Nuxia spp.), elm (Ulmaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia spp.), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and bulrush (Typhaceae). Mould spores were low.
Calvinia
Findings from the repaired spore trap at this site should be available next week.
Johannesburg
Pollen concentrations were low. No grass pollen was detected. Trees included maple (Acer), linden (Tiliaceae), beech (Fagus spp.) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were ice plants (Aizoaceae), mugwort (Artemisia spp.), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and knotweed (Persicaria spp.). A small spike was seen for knotweed. Mould spores were low.
Pretoria
Grass pollen was low at this site. Low tree concentrations included hackberry (Celtis spp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mesquite (Prosopis spp.) and oak (Quercus spp. usually Q. robur). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia spp.), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedge (Cyperaceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds were moderate with significant spikes for the allergenic spore, Alternaria.
Bloemfontein
Low grass concentrations were seen. Trees were equally low and included birch (Betula spp.), hackberry (Celtis spp.), mulberry (Moraceae), poplar (Populaceae), olive (Oleaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and sedge (Cyperaceae). Mould spores were very low.
Kimberley
The pollen strip did not reach the laboratory in time so last week’s findings are repeated. Grass and tree pollen concentrations were low. Tree types were karee (Rhus/Searsia spp) only. Weed pollen was scanty and only goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and mugwort (Artemisia spp.) were detected. Moulds were low with small spikes for total mould counts occurring after rain.
Durban
Grass pollen concentrations were low at this site. Low tree pollen included palm (Arecaceae), waxberry (Morella spp.), elm (Ulmaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and cypress (Cupressus spp.). Low weeds identified were mugwort (Artemisia spp.), ferns (Polypodiaceae), buckwheat (Polygonaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Mould spores were low.
Gqeberha
Low grass concentrations were detected at this site. Low tree pollen included waxberry (Morella spp.), gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds were slangbos (Stoebe-type) and mould spores were low.
Potchefstroom
Tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were low. Tree pollen taxa were palm (Arecaceae), ash (Fraxinus spp.), oak (Quercus spp, but usually Q Robur) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), mugwort (Artemisia spp.), pigweed (Amaranthaceae) and nettle (Urticaceae). Mould spores were minimal.
