Summary
Grass is low in the winter rainfall city of Cape Town but increasing in the summer rainfall areas. Spikes for fungal spores are appearing as temperatures increase and a strong spike for Cladosporium was seen in Pretoria. Weed pollen is increasing in Potchefstroom.
Cape Town
Grasses declined to low levels. Trees were not significant and included olive (Oleaceae), the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae), Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae),sorrel (Rumex), English plantain (Plantaginaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria). Moulds were insignificant.
Johannesburg
This site is not operating
Pretoria: This site is up and running again, but the courier was late so last week’s findings are shown. Pollen was scarce in the air of this sampling site. Trees detected were olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and mulberry. Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were generally low but strong spikes for the allergenic mould, or fungal spore, Cladosporium were consistently seen.
Bloemfontein: Pollen and moulds were low at this site. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae), acacia (Acacia), birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleja), waxberry (Morella), pine (Pinaceae), olive (Oleaceae),and karee. Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae) and English Plantain (Plantaginaceae), both dominant, as well as the daisy family (Asteraceae), pigmy weeds (Crassulaceae) and caltrops (Zygophyllaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
The pollen strip reached the UCT laboratory too late for analysis. Updates will be shown as soon as the slides are read. Meanwhile last week’s findings are shown.
Durban
All pollen and moulds were low at this sampling site. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae), linden (Tiliaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), olive (Oleaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), oak (Quercus) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), English plantain (Plantaginaceae), knotweed (Persicaria), mugwort (Artemisia)goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae)erica (Ericaceae), sorrel (Rumex) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low with spikes for ascospores following heavy rain.
Gqeberha
Low levels of grasses were detected at this site. Trees were insignificant and included acacia (Acacia), olive (Oleaceae), buckthorn (Rhamnaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), lily (Liliaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiacae), rockfoils (saxifrage), citrus/buchu (Rutaceae) and bulrush (Typhaceae). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroo
: Grasses are increasing. Trees are low to moderate. The dominant tree is gum (Myrtaceae) with some olive (Oleaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), plane (Platanaceae), the pea family (Fabaceae), copperleaf (Acalypha) and the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). Weeds are increasing with English Plantain (Plantago) peaks, sedges (Cyperaceae), mustards (Brassicaceae) and mugwort ( Artemisia). Moulds were insignificant.
George
Pollen and moulds were low at this sampling site. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae),linden (Tilia), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), olive (Oleaceae), oak (Quercus) and the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), mugwort (Artemisia), English plantain (Plantaginaceae), knotweed (Persicaria), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), sorrel (Rumex) and ferns (Polypodiaceae), Moulds were low with small spikes for ascospores following rain
