Summary
Tree pollen is decreasing but high counts were seen in Bloemfontein and Johannesburg.
Cape Town
Pollen in the ambient air was reduced by low temperatures and rain. Trees detected included cypress (Cupressaceae), white stinkwood (Celtis), gum (Myrtaceae), salt cedar (Tamarix), olive (Oleaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), cedar (Cedrus), mulberry (Moraceae), linden (Tiliaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae), sorrel (Rumex), English Plantain (Plantaginaceae) and knotweed (Persicaria). Grasses were low, as were moulds.
Johannesburg
Tree pollen is declining but the concentrations are still significant. Dominant trees are plane (Platanaceae) and oak (Quercus). Other flowering trees acacia (Acacia-type), bushwillow (Combretaceae), false olive (Buddleia), cypress (Cupressaceae), persimmon (Ebenaceae), privet (Ligustrum), sweetgum (Liquidamber), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type) in low concentrations. Moulds were insignificant.
Pretoria
Grass, tree and weed pollen counts are generally low during this sampling period. Tree pollen typically includes acacia (Acacia-type), birch (Betulaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and oak (Fagaceae). Weeds would be mugwort (Artemisia), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and sorrel (Rumex). Moulds are usually low. 4-year averages are shown.
Bloemfontein
The high tree concentrations are continuing as trees complete their flowering cycle. The dominant trees this week were false olive (Buddleia) and poplar (Populaceae), followed by moderate concentrations for birch (Betulus), white stinkwood (Celtis), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and oak (Quercus). Occasional pollen grains in the air were detected for acacia (Acacia-type), mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Morella), plane (Platanaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). High weed concentrations were seen for pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae) and lily (Liliaceae) and low concentrations were detected for ferns. Moulds were low.
Kimberley
No significant pollen or mould concentrations were recorded. Trees included mesquite (Prosopis), pecan (Carya), cypress (Cupressaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae).
Durban
Spikes were seen in some mould species, but the overall concentration was not significant. Pollen in all three categories of trees, grasses and weeds was minimal. Tree pollen included birch (Betulus), bushwillow (Combretaceae), white stinkwood (Celtis), linden (Tiliaceae), false olive Buddleia), olive (Oleaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), plane (Platanaceae) and monkey puzzle (Araucaria angustifolia). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Grasses were extremely low.
Gqeberha
No pollen or mould concentrations exceeded the threshold during this sampling week. Trees identified were the pea family (Fabaceae), waxberry (Morella), pine (Pinaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), spurges, the carrot family (Caryophyllaceae) and aloes (Asphodelaceae).
Potchefstroom
This site is not operating.
George
The spore trap is being repaired.
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
