Summary
The only significant pollen concentrations were moderate grass counts seen in Cape Town. Smaller spikes were noted for English plantain and moulds were low at all sampling sites except Durban.
Cape Town
Grasses were moderate on all days without rain. Tree counts are now low and include birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), plane (Platanaceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and Australian pine (Casuarina spp.). Low weeds included goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), bulrush) Typhaceae), Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria spp.), protea (Proteaceae), English Plantain (Plantaginaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae).
Calvinia
This site is not operational.
Johannesburg
This site is not operating but a 3-year average is given here. Tree pollen usually includes acacia (Acacia sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanus sp.), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), poplar (Populus sp.), oak (Quercus sp.), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). The weeds detected are generally pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), daisies (Asteraceae), and sedges (Cyperaceae).
Pretoria
This site will be set up on Monday but 3-year averages are given. Tree and weed pollen is sparse and little or no grass is detected. Trees include birch (Betulaceae), cedar (Cedrus sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), Cape holly (Ilex sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), and oak (Quercus sp.). Weeds were ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), and plantain (Plantaginaceae).
Bloemfontein
Pollen in all three categories was low. Trees identified were birch (Betulus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) ash (Fraxinus spp.), mulberry (Moraceae), poplar (Populaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedge (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and sorrel (Rumex spp. Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Tree, grass and weed pollen levels were low. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
A technical problem occurred at this site so last week’s findings are repeated. Grasses, trees and weeds were very low. Trees included birch (Betulus), cypress (Cupressaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina spp) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were sorrel (Rumex spp) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were moderate.
Gqeberha
Grasses were low and no tree pollen was detected. Low weeds included sedges, rockfoils (Saxifrage) and bulrushes (Typhaceae). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
Grass, tree and weed pollen was very low. Trees included mulberry (Moraceae), African almond (Prunus africana) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and sorrel (Rumex spp.) Moulds were very low.
George
Tree, grass and weed pollen was low at this sampling site. Trees included yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), pine (Pinaceae), acacia (Acacia-type), chestnut (Hippocastanceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae, gum (Myrtaceae) and the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). Weeds were protea (Proteaceae) and sedges. Moulds were low.
