Summary
High to very high tree counts were observed in Cape Town, the Gauteng province, and likely also in Bloemfontein and Kimberley – based on last week’s data. Grass counts were high in Calvinia and trees were moderate. Grass and weed counts were moderate in Cape Town and weeds were likely also moderate in Bloemfontein and Kimberley, although no new data were available for these two sites.
Cape Town
Very high tree counts were detected during this sampling period. The dominant tree types were cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and plane (Platanus sp.). Other tree pollen included maple (Acer sp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), cedar (Cedrus sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), the pea family (Fabaceae), beech (Fagus sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Morella sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), oak (Quercus sp.), lindens (Tiliaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weed counts were moderate due to a spike in nettle (Urticaceae) pollen later in the week. Other weeds recorded were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), daisies (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and bulrush (Typhaceae). Grass counts were moderate and fungal spores were low.
Calvinia
Significant grass levels were seen. Moderate tree levels included oak (Quercus sp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and increasing levels of mesquite (Prosopis sp.). Low weed levels included the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), nettles (Urticaceae), mugwort (Artemisia sp.), sedges (Cyperaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were very low.
Johannesburg
High tree counts with very low grass, weed and fungal spore counts, were observed. Trees included elevated levels of oak (Quercus sp.), plane (Platanus sp.) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), as well as lower counts of acaia (Acacia sp.), birch (Betulaceae), hackberry (Celtis sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), poplar (Populus sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae).Only pigweed (Amaranthus sp.) was detected in the weeds category.
Pretoria
High tree pollen levels with low grass, weed and mould counts were seen. The dominant tree types were mulberry (Moraceae), plane (Platanus sp.) and birch (Betulaceae), with lower level of acacia (Acacia sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and oak (Quercus sp.) present. Weeds included mugwort (Artemisia sp.), daisies (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and mallows (Malvaceae).
Bloemfontein
Technical issues meant no new data were available for this site and the findings from last week are repeated here. Tree counts were very high due to very high levels of hackberry (Celtis sp.), as well as elevated counts of cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), poplar (Populus sp.), oak (Quercus sp.) and olive (Oleaceae). Lower counts of birch (Betulaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), beech (Fagus sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanus sp.), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) were also seen. Weed levels were moderate and included mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spore counts were low.
Kimberley
Courier delays meant no new data were available for this site and the findings from last week are repeated here. Tree counts were high, weeds were moderate and grasses were low. The dominant tree pollen included birch (Betulaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), plane (Platanus sp.) and pine (Pinaceae), with lower levels of Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), poplar (Populus sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.) also seen. The weeds detected were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), daisies (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), rushes (Juncus sp.), bulrush (Typhaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae). Grass and mould counts were low.
Durban: Courier delays meant no new data were available for this site and the findings from last week are repeated here. Low levels were seen for grasses, trees and weeds. Tree pollen included hackberry (Celtis sp.) pine (Pinaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) oak (Quercus sp.), olive (Oleaceae) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds detected were nettles (Urticaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Very low fungal spores loads were observed.
Gqeberha
Low levels of grass, weeds, trees and fungal spores were observed. The trees detected were acacia (Acacia sp.), cedar (Cedrus sp.), waxberry (Morella sp.), olive (Oleaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds included ice plants (Aizoaceae), pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), katstert (Anthospermum sp.), mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), vygies (Ruschia sp.), and sheepbush (Pentzia sp.).
