Summary
Tree pollen is now flowering across the country although the coastal sites still show a greater variety of trees rather than high concentrations. Cypress is still the dominant pollen.
Cape Town
Spring has arrived in Cape Town and the trees have begun their pollen release season. Concentrations are still low overall but a greater variety of flowering trees included birch (Betulaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), olive (Oleaceae), lemon (Citrus), cypress (Cupressaceae) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds were the carrot family (Apiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
The tree season continues to increase at this site with the winter flowering cypress (Cupressaceae) as the dominant pollen. Other trees contributing to the high concentrations are acacia (Acacia-type), bushwillow (Combretaceae), plane (Platanaceae), oak (Quercus), white stinkwood (Celtis), ash (Fraxinus, gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and karee (Searsia). Plane tree pollen is increasing. Weeds were lily (Liliaceae) and grasses and moulds were low. Last week’s counts are shown.
Johannesburg South
Grass pollen concentrations were low. Trees included birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), ash (Fraxinus), pine (Pinaceae) and oak (Quercus). Weeds were low counts of the daisy family (Asteraceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low. Last week’s counts are shown.
Pretoria
A field trip removed our aerobiologist from his microscope so 5-year means are show. At this time of year tree pollen is high and includes plane (Platanaceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), oak (Quercus), olive (Oleaceae), birch (Betulus) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds would be purges (Euphorbiaceae), slangbos (Stoebe), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Grasses and moulds are low.
Bloemfontein
Low grass concentrations contrasted with high tree counts. Trees included sumac (Anacardiaceae), false olive (Buddleia), white stinkwood (Celtis), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and poplar (Populaceae). The dominant trees were cypress and plane.Weeds were pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae)mallows (Malvaceae) and rose (Rosaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Tree pollen concentrations were high at this site. Trees included birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleia), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae). Plane (Platanaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and karee Searsia). Cypress and birch were the dominant trees. Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
Low concentrations for all pollen categories were detected at this site. Trees included birch (Betulaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae) and plane (Platanaceae). Weeds were protea (Proteaceae) and knotweed (Persicaria) and moulds were equally low.
Gqeberha
Low concentrations of pollen were seen. Trees were mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Searsia). No weed pollen was detected and moulds were low overall with spikes for basidiospores (Includes mushrooms) and ascospores.
George
Tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were low. Trees included sumac (Anacardiaceae), waxberry (Morella)., pine (Pinaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and reeds (Restionaceae). Moulds were low, but a peak for basidiospores (includes mushrooms) was noted.
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