Summary
Loadshedding at all the sampling sites will have reduced these counts. Pollen was low in most sampling areas except for Potchefstroom, where weeds increased the mean count and Durban, where a significant tree count with a spike for mulberry occurred. When white mulberry trees pollinate large quantities of mulberry pollen are shot into the air with explosive force. Moulds or fungal spores were low to moderate at all sites but high in Durban.
Cape Town
Very little pollen was detected in the atmosphere during this sampling week. Trees included Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), linden (Tiliaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were buckwheat only (Polygonaceae). Moulds were low with small spikes for ascospores following rain.
Calvinia
Pollen in all three categories: Trees, grasses and weeds was low during this sampling period. Trees identified included peppertree (Schinus spp.), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds detected were goosefoot only (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were extremely low.
Johannesburg
Tree, grass and weed levels were very low at this site. Trees identified were Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae) and the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Moulds were very low.
Pretoria
Pollen levels were low at this sampling site. Trees detected were cypress (Cupressaceae), walnut (Juglandaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were moderate but increased after the rains and small spikes were seen for Aspergillus/Penicillium, Cladosporium and ascospores.
Bloemfontein
Pollen had a low presence in the atmosphere at this site. Trees detected were false olive (Buddleja spp.), mulberry (Moraceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.), olive (Oleaceae), elm (Ulmaceae), waxberry (Morella spp.) and birch (Betulaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedge (Cyperacreae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were extremely low.
Kimberley
Very low pollen counts were found in the air in Kimberley. Trees were elm (Ulmaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.) and peppertree (Schinus spp.). Low weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), lily (Liliaceae) and nettle (Urticaceae). Moulds were moderate but approached high levels at times as ascospores and the allergenic fungal spore Cladosporium increased.
Durban
Tree counts were moderate as a spike was seen for mulberry (Moraceae). Other tree pollen detected included gum (Myrtaceae) and walnut (Juglandaceae). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), buckwheat (Polygonaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and sedge (Cyperaceae). Moulds were high with spikes for ascospores, basidiospores and the allergenic mould Cladosporium.
Gqeberha
Student unrest prevented access to the spore trap so last week’s findings are repeated. There were light loads of pollen and mould in the ambient air. Grass pollen levels were low, no tree pollen at all was detected and weeds included pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family(Caryophyllaceae), slangbos (Stoebe-type), sedge (Cyperaceae) and lily (Liliaceae). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
Tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations were all low at this sampling site, but the overall count was moderate, as weeds increased. Trees detected were palm (Arecaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), gum (Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus spp.) and privet (Ligustrum spp.). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
