Summary
Tree pollen levels are increasing, especially in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. Grass and weed pollen counts remained low across the country and mould/fungal spores were low in all cities, except Durban.
Cape Town
Low grass, tree and weed pollen levels were seen. Tree pollen detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulaceae), pine (Pinaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and cedar (Cedrus sp.). Weed pollen was mugwort (Artemisia sp.), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and bulrush (Typhaceae). Fungal spore counts were also low.
Calvinia
Pollen loads were very small during this sampling period. Only cypress (Cupressaceae) was detected in the tree category. Weeds seen were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (Artemisia sp.) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds were very low.
Johannesburg
Grass and weed pollen levels were low. Tree pollen was significant and the count continues to increase, notably cypress (Cupressaceae). Other trees detected were the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), birch (Betulaceae), pine (Pinaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpus sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), buckthorn (Rhamnaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds identified were mugwort (Artemisia sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
Grass and weed pollen levels were low but trees increased to moderate levels. Tree pollen detected included ash (Fraxinus sp.), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.). Weed pollen in the atmosphere included the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), erica (Ericaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
High tree counts were recorded, dominated by cypress (Cupressaceae) pollen. Other trees detected were the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and poplar (Populus sp.). No grass pollen was present and weed counts were low, with only the daisy family (Asteraceae) recorded. Mould counts were also low.
Kimberley
Low grass counts were seen. Tree pollen was also low and included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), false olive (Buddleja sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), poplar (Populaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Low weed counts included the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and spruce (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
Grasses, trees and weeds were low. Trees detected included gum (Myrtaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), pine (Pinaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae) and erica (Ericaceae). Moulds approached significance.
Gqeberha
Very low grass counts were seen. Low tree loads included cedar (Cedrus sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), waxberry (Morella sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds were low and included katstert (Anthospermum sp.), erica (Ericaceae), iris (Iridaceae), restios (Restionaceae) and sheepbush (Pentzia sp.). Moulds were very low.
