Summary
This is the year’s last update; new pollen data will follow in January 2023. Moderate pollen levels were seen in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, with weed pollen slightly elevated in Cape Town and Bloemfontein and grasses increasing in Johannesburg. Festive season closures meant no new findings were available for Kimberley, Pretoria and Potchefstroom. Pollen counts were low elsewhere in South Africa, and fungal spores were high in Durban.
Cape Town
Moderate weed and low tree and grass levels were recorded. The trees detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), the monkey puzzle family (Araucariaceae), hackberry (Celtis sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Morella sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), beech (Fagus sp.), and linden (Tiliaceae). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), buckwheat (Polygonaceae), the citrus/buchu family (Rutaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Mould spores increased to moderate levels due to significant Alternaria and Cladosporium spikes.
Calvinia
Grass, tree and weed pollen levels were extremely low at this site. The only tree detected was the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and the only weed was spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low but small spikes were seen for the allergenic mould, Cladosporium, following rain.
Johannesburg
Moderate grass counts with low tree and weed counts were observed. The tree pollen detected were Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds included pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and bulrush (Typhaceae). Fungal spores were very low.
Pretoria
This site is closed for the festive season and new data will be available in January. Previous results: Moderate to high grass counts, moderate tree counts, and low weed counts were recorded. Trees included birch (Betulaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), Cape holly (Ilex sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). The weeds observed were the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spores were not significant.
Bloemfontein
Tree and grass counts were low while weed counts were slightly elevated. Tree pollen included birch (Betulaceae), false olive (Buddleja sp.), ash (Fraxinus sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), plane (Platanus sp.), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.), and elm (Ulmaceae). The weeds detected were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), pygmy weed (Crassulaceae), erica (Ericaceae), and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Fungal spores were very low.
Kimberley
Courier delays meant no new data were available for this site, and last week’s findings are repeated. Pollen levels were low. Trees detected included elm (Ulmaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and buckwheat (Polygonaceae). Moulds were low with one spike for the allergenic spore Cladosporium. Intermittent rain removed pollen and mould from the air at this site.
Durban
Low tree, grass and weed levels were recorded. Tree pollen included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and chestnut (Hippocastanaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and knotweed (Persicaria spp.). Moulds were significant with strong spikes for ascospores and basidiospores during a week of heavy rainfall.
Gqeberha
Very low levels of grass, tree and weed pollen were detected. Trees included acacia (Acacia sp.), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) and waxberry (Morella sp.). The weeds detected were sedges (Cyperaceae), lilies (Liliaceae), and proteas (Proteaceae). Fungal spores were also very low.
Potchefstroom
This site is closed for the festive season and new data will be available in January. Previous results: Moderate grass counts with very low tree and weed counts were recorded. Tree pollen included cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and plane (Platanus sp.). The weeds detected were only the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Fungal spores were very low.
