Summary
Durban had very high fungal spore counts. Grass pollen counts have decreased across the country, but moderate levels are still present in the summer rainfall areas. Weed and tree counts were generally low, with weeds increasing to moderate levels in Cape Town.
Cape Town
Grass and tree pollen counts were low, with weed pollen levels approaching significance. Tree pollen included palm (Arecaceae), the ebony family (Ebenaceae), waxberry (Myricaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). The weed pollen detected was from the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), pelargoniums (Geraniaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), fern spores (Polypodiaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.) and nettles (Urticaceae). Mould counts were low.
Calvinia
A technical issue prevented new data collection in this sampling period. Results from the previous week are repeated. Grass, tree and weed levels were not significant. Tree pollen included karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and the pea family (Fabaceae). The weeds identified were sedges (Cyperaceae), the mustard or cabbage family (Brassicaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were found in low amounts.
Johannesburg
Grass counts were moderate, but trees and weeds remained low. Tree pollen included Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). Pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae) were detected in the weeds category. Fungal spore counts were low.
Pretoria
Moderate grass counts with low tree and weed levels were recorded. Tree pollen included cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and willow (Salix sp.). The weed pollen detected included ice plants (Aizoaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae). Mould counts were low.
Bloemfontein
A technical issue prevented new data collection in this sampling period. Results from the previous week are repeated. Grass and weed counts were moderate, with tree pollen and fungal spores found at insignificant levels. Trees included only olive (Oleaceae). In the weeds category, mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), fern spores (Polypodiaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae) were seen.
Kimberley
Significant grass levels were observed. Few trees were detected and these included elm (Ulmaceae) and the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). Weeds were scarce and included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds showed strong spikes for ascospores after rain showers and small spikes for the allergenic mould, Cladosporium.
Durban
Grass pollen was detected in small quantities. Trees were not significant and included gum (Myrtaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were equally sparse, and the types detected were ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spores were high and included large spikes for ascospores throughout the week, possibly owing to high humidity levels.
Gqeberha
All pollen categories as well as fungal spore counts were very low. Only Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) was detected in the trees category, and weeds included the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type).
