Summary
At all the pollen sampling sites across South Africa, pollen and mould concentrations were very low in response to the low temperatures and rain, in this early winter period.
Cape Town
Pollen and mould loads were very low in this early winter sampling period. Trees included cypress (Cupressaceae) and willow (Salicaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), knotweed (Persicaria) and heath (Ericaceae). No grass pollen was detected.
Johannesburg
4-year means are given. Trees previously detected at this time of year included birch (Betulus), gum (Myrtaceae) and oak (Quercus), while weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) ferns (Polypodiaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds are low.
Pretoria
4-year means are shown. Trees flowering at this time of year include birch (Betulus), hackberry (Celtis), mulberry (Moraceae, waxberry (Morella) and bushwillow (Combretaceae). Weeds are goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Moulds are low.
Bloemfontein
Low concentrations of tree, weed and grass were detected at this sampling site. Trees were sumac (Anacardiaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia) and weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Very low grass, tree and weed pollen concentrations were recorded during this sampling week. Tree pollen detected was bushwillow (Combretaceae) and weeds were sorrel (Rumex), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
The pollen catch showed low concentrations of tree, grass and weed pollen. Trees were cypress (Cupressaceae) and forest elder (Nuxia). Weeds were heath (Ericaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Low concentrations of grass, tree and weed pollen were detected at this sampling site. The only tree pollen seen was karee (Rhus/Searsia) and the only weed pollen was mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
No grass pollen was detected during this sampling period. Low concentrations of tree pollen included birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) and bushwillow (Combretaceae). In the category of weeds, only lily (Amaryllidaceae) was seen. Moulds were low.
George
Pollen concentrations plummeted during this rainy sampling week with low temperatures. Trees detected were bushwillow (Combretaceae), pine (Pinaceae), forest elder (Nuxia) and birch (Betulus). Weeds were spurges (Euphorbiaceae), and moulds were extremely low.
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre
