Summary
Significant grass pollen levels were recorded in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa, with Kimberley showing the highest overall counts. Pollen from in the trees and weeds categories were low to moderate across the country, with low to moderate fungal spore counts also detected at some sites.
Cape Town
Grass, tree and weed pollen counts were low during this sampling period. The tree pollen detected were Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.) and buckthorns (Rhamnaceae). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae), the citrus family (Rutaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), protea (Proteaceae), erica (Ericaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spore counts were also low.
Johannesburg
Grasses were insignificant until the end of this sampling week when a significant score was recorded. Rain possibly washed grass pollen grains from the air. Trees detected were gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), plane (Platanaceae) and false olive (Buddleja sp.). Only sedges (Cyperaceae) were observed in the category of weeds. Moulds were very low.
Pretoria
Significant grass levels were seen at this site for most days of the week. Tree and weed pollen levels were low, as were moulds. Trees detected were birch (Betulaceae), the pea family (Fabaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae)and plane (Platanaceae). Weeds included sedges (Cyperaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and pigweed (Amaranthaceae).
Bloemfontein
Significant grass counts with low tree and weed counts were detected. The tree pollens recorded were mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Myricaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.). Weeds included sedges (Cyperaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and pigmyweeds (Crassula sp.). Fungal spore levels were low.
Kimberley
Significant grass levels were seen throughout this week. Trees, weeds and moulds were below the threshold levels. Trees detected included cypress, (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.) and waxberry (Morella sp.). Weeds included goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Durban
Low to moderate grass levels with low trees and weeds were seen during this week. Tree pollen included palm (Arecaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), the pea family (Fabaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.). The weeds detected were sedges (Cyperaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), irises (Iridaceae), fern spores (Polypodiaceae), the citrus family (Rutaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Mould counts were moderate.
Gqeberha
Overall low pollen and fungal spore counts were seen in all categories. Tree pollen included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) and olive (Oleaceae). The weed pollen detected were pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), erica (Ericaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae).
