Summary
The tree season is ending in Bloemfontein but starting in Kimberley and grasses are moderate in Cape Town.
Cape Town
Grass concentrations were moderate overall, but high counts occurred during the week. Trees were low and included cypress (Cupressaceae), persimmon (Ebenaceae), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), mulberry (Moraceae) and oak (Quercus).
Johannesburg
This site will be updated once the data is received, hopefully today.
Pretoria
Tree counts at this time of year are usually high with elevated levels of ash (Fraxinus) and plane (Platanaceae). Other tree pollen detected are likely to be acacia (Acacia-type), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulaceae), pecan (Carya), hackberry (Celtis), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), the pea family (Fabaceae), Cape holly (Ilex sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Grass, weed, and mould counts are usually very low. Weeds might include the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), protea (Proteaceae), sorrel (Rumex), dandelion (Taraxacum) and bulrush (Typhaceae).
Bloemfontein
Tree pollen is decreasing rapidly now, but the overall count is still significant. The dominant tree is olive (Oleaceae). Lower counts were seen for acacia (Acacia-type), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), false olive (Buddleia), white stinkwood (Celtis), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), pine (Pinaceae), poplar (Populaceae), oak (Quercus) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Low weed counts included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), lilies (Liliaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley:
Tree pollen increased during this sampling week and the dominant tree was karee (Rhus/Searsia). Other flowering trees included acacia (Acacia-type, ash (Fraxinus), the monkey puzzle tree (Araucariaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), pecan (Carya), pine (Pinaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), white stinkwood (Celtis), persimmon (Ebenaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and oak (Quercus). Weeds were sorrel (Rumex), the daisy family (Asteraceae), protea (Proteaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
All pollen and mould concentrations were low. Trees were pecan (Carya), cypress (Cupressaceae), birch (Betulus) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were very low and only nettles (Urticaceae) weeds were detected. Moulds were generally low, but spikes were seen for ascospores. These spores increase after rain.
Gqeberha
All pollen concentrations were low at this site. Trees included birch (Betulus), sand olive Dodoneae), waxberry (Morella), pine (Pinaceae), marula (Sclerocarya), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were ice-plants (Aizoaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), reeds (Restionaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae, plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
This site is not operating.
George
Only one day could be harvested so the pollen count could not be quantified. The dominant tree was yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Other flowering trees included pecan (Carya), persimmon (Ebenaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia) pine (Pinaceae) and bushwillow (Combretaceae). Weeds were spurges (Euphorbiaceae), and moulds were low.
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre
