Summary
Very low temperatures with storms and flooding in many areas occurred in many parts of South Africa in the past week. These adverse weather conditions are reflected in the low pollen and fungal spore /mould counts.
Cape Town
Perilous weather conditions prevented the changing of the spore trap this week and so averages of the previous three years are shown here. Pollen concentrations were low in all categories. Trees previously detected in this week of the year include gum (Myrtaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), , waxberry (Morella spp.), olive (Oleaceae), forest elder (Nuxia spp.), sumac (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulus), mulberry (Moraceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds are the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type) and mugwort (Artemisia spp.).
Calvinia
All pollen concentrations in this mid-year period are low. Trees detected during this time period are the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds include the daisy family (Asteraceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Moulds are low.
Johannesburg
Low pollen concentrations were found at this site. Trees were birch (Betulus), Australian pine (Casuarina spp), beech (Fagus spp.), gum (Myrtaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds were the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), Spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Pretoria: Pollen in all categories was low at this site. Trees included birch Betulus), beech (Fagus spp.), mulberry (Moraceae). oak (Quercus spp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). No weed pollen was detected. Mould spores were low.
Bloemfontein
Low concentrations for grass, tree and weed pollen were recorded at this sampling site. Trees were birch (Betulus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), plane (Platanaceae), poplar (Populaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Mould spores were low.
Kimberley
This sample did not reach the laboratory and last week’s findings are repeated here. Very low pollen concentrations were seen at this site. No grass pollen was detected. Trees were birch (Betulaceae), monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria angustifolia) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettle (Urticaceae). Mould spores were low.
Durban
Very low pollen concentrations were seen at this site. No grass pollen was detected. Trees were birch (Betulaceae), monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria angustifolia) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettle (Urticaceae). Mould spores were low.
Gqeberh
: Low pollen concentrations were obtained from this sampling site in the categories: Trees, grasses and weeds. Trees were waxberry (Morella spp.), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia spp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
Very low pollen concentrations were recovered this week. Trees detected included cypress (Cupressaceae), oak (Quercus spp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds were plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettle (Urticaceae). Extremely low mould concentrations are noted.
