Summary
Grass levels continue to be at significant in the summer rainfall areas of South Africa and are currently the highest in Kimberley, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. Very little tree pollen was detected across all the sampling sites. Weed pollen was also scarce but the autumn flowering weeds are appearing. Moulds increased in Durban and Gqeberha, but allergenic moulds were inhibited by warm temperatures and remained low.
Cape Town
Grass, tree and weed pollen levels were insignificant during this sampling period. Tree pollen detected included cypress (Cupressaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), waxberry (Myricaceae) and the pea family (Fabaceae). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), English plantain (Plantaginaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.), the iris family (Iridaceae) and fern spores (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were found in low quantities.
Johannesburg
Significant grass counts were seen, with low trees and weeds. Tree pollen included only Australian pine (Casuarina sp.) and Myrtaceae. The weed pollen detected were sedges (Cyperaceae), pigweed (Amaranthus sp.) and erica (Ericaceae). Fungal spore levels were low.
Pretoria
Significant grass concentrations were detected in the air. Tree and weed pollen did not exceed the significant threshold. Trees included birch (Betulaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae) and plane (Platanaceae). Weeds found in small numbers included pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds remained below the threshold, but small spikes were seen for Cladosporium, smuts and ascospores.
Bloemfontein
A technical fault occurred with the spore trap so last week’s findings are repeated. High grass levels were observed, while tree and weed pollen remained low. The trees recorded were hackberry (Celtis sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Myricaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), plane (Platanus sp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). Weeds included sedges (Cyperaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and pigmyweeds (Crassula sp.) Fungal spore levels were low.
Kimberley
High grass counts with low tree and weed counts were seen during this sampling week. Tree pollen included acacia (Acacia sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), waxberry (Myricaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). The weed pollen present were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the iris family (Iridaceae), mallows (Malvaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), fern spores (Polypodiaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.), sedges (Cyperaceae) and figworts (Scrophulariaceae). Mould levels were not significant.
Durban
Fungal spores increased during this sampling period and large spikes were seen for ascospores. Trees, grasses, and weeds were insignificant. Tree pollen detected was karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). Olive (Oleaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), mulberry (Moraceae) and the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria sp.). Weeds included ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.), protea (Proteaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Gqeberha
Pollen concentrations were insignificant. The only tree pollen detected was Australian pine (Casuarina sp.). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and pigweed (Amaranthaceae). Moulds were insignificant but small spikes for ascospores were seen.
