Summary
Many sites experienced high temperatures with no rain during this sampling period and pollen in the ambient air decreased. For the first time during this study, the adhesive on the strip melted at one site. A small peak is noted for the weed Cyperus (sedge) in Johannesburg and small numbers of maize (Zea mays) pollen were detected in Johannesburg and Kimberley. Moderate grass concentrations occurred in Pretoria. Moulds disappeared from the air in response to the heat and lack of moisture across the country.
Cape Town
Pollen concentrations were low in all three categories. Tree pollen detected was gum (Myrtaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and peppertree (Schinus spp.). Weeds included mugwort (Artemisia spp.), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were very low during this dry, hot period.
Calvinia
No findings due to spore trap malfunction. Averages are shown. Tree, grass and weed pollen was scanty during this sampling period. Trees detected included bushwillow Combretaceae) and weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), knotweed (Persicaria spp.) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Moulds were very low. Tree pollen that may be seen in January includes waxberry (Morella spp.). In the category: weeds the daisy family (Asteraceae) and the pea family (Fabaceae).
Johannesburg
Moderate levels of grasses and low levels of maize (Zea mays) were detected. Low tree levels included birch (Betulaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Low weed levels included pigweed (Amaranthaceae), lily (Liliaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
Moderate grass levels were reported from this site. Low tree levels included birch (Betulaceae), Cape holly (Ilex), jacaranda(Fabaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds were similarly low and included mugwort (Artemisia spp.), the daisy family (Astercaeae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
The previous weeks findings are repeated as the temperatures melted the adhesive from the strip. Grass pollen levels were moderate. Tree levels were also moderate and the types detected were acacia (Acacia spp.), false olive (Buddleja), ash (Fraxinus spp.,) gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grasses were low. Low tree concentrations included gum (Myrtaceae), elm (Celtis spp.), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), and karee (Rhus/Searsia). The weed concentrations were low and included spurges (Euphorbiaceae), sedges, the daisy family (Asteraceae, (Cyperaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and buckwheat (Polygonaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
The pollen catch was slight during this hot dry sampling period. Tree pollen included gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), acacia (Acacia spp,), linden (Tiliaceae), birch (Betulaceae) and alder (Alnus spp.). Weeds detected were ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), plantain (Plantaginaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), buckwheat (Polygonaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaceae). Moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Low grass concentrations were detected. Trees detected were only waxberry (Morella spp.) and gum (Myrtaceae). Low weed counts included the daisy family (Asteraceae), lily (Liliaceae), sedge (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), reed (Restionaceae), pigweed (Amaranthus spp.) and the carrot/celery family (Apiaceae). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
The spore trap is malfunctioning so no new findings are available.
