Summary
Grasses were low at all sampling sites. Tree pollen is still moderate in some inland cities such as Bloemfontein and Johannesburg.
Cape Town
Pollen was generally low but grasses were moderate on calm, sunny days without strong SE wind or rain. Trees included acacia (Acacia-type), the monkey puzzle tree (Araucariaceae), persimmon (Ebenaceae), (Fraxinus), olive (Oleaceae), chestnut (Hippocastanaceae), oak (Quercus) pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Asmall spike for plantai is noted. Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
All pollen concentrations were low, but tree pollen is still in the air. Acacia (Acacia-type), birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleia), white stinkwood (Celtis), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae), oak (Quercus), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia) are still completing their flowering cycles. Weeds were lily (Liliaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae), and nettles. Moulds were low.
Johannesburg South
Grass and tree pollen concentrations are low. Trees detected were karee (Rhus/Searsia), olive (Oleaceae), and lemon (Citrus). Low weeds concentrations included goosefoot (Amaranthaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and copperleaf (Acalypha). Moulds were uniformly low.
Pretoria
At this time of the year, flowering trees include mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), acacia (Acacia-type, birch (Betulus), cypress Cupressaceae) and oak (Quercus). Weeds would be mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds are usually low and 5-year means are given.
Bloemfontein
Tree concentrations were moderate and included acacia (Acacia-type), birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleia), white stinkwood (Celtis), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae), oak (Quercus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). A strong spike was seen for olive this week. Weeds were lily (Liliaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Tree, grass and weed concentrations were low, but a greater variety of flowering trees was seen and these were pecan (Carya), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), false olive (Buddleia) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were plantain (Plantaginaceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
Pollen concentrations were low at this site. Trees were birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), elm (Ulmaceae), persimmon (Ebenaceae), and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds were plantain (Plantaginaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and sedges. Moulds were low on average but surged after rain.
Gqeberha
Pollen and moulds were consistently low. No tree pollen was detected. Weeds were pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles Urticaceae).
George
Only one day was harvested as the (repaired) clock stopped. All pollen and mould counts were low. Trees detected were elm (Ulmaceae), acacia (Acacia-type) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were bulrush (Typhaceae) and ferns (Polypodiacae). Moulds were 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
