Summary
Pollen counts were low at all sites. A surge in the allergenic mould spore Cladosporium was seen in Durban where a record daily high of >17 000 spores/cubic metre was seen, following heavy rain and high relative humidity.
Cape Town
Grass concentrations were extremely low. Trees were low and included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), forest elder (Nuxia spp.) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were sorrel (Rumex spp.), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and mugwort (Artemisia spp.). Moulds were low.
Calvinia
Extremely low pollen concentrations were seen during this sampling period. No tree pollen was detected. Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), spurges (Euphorbiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). Moulds were low.
Johannesburg
Pollen in all three categories: Trees, grasses and weeds was low. Trees included Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia), gum (Myrtaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), lily (Liliaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Pretoria
All pollen concentrations were low during this sampling period. Trees included gum (Myrtaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds detected were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), mugwort (artemisia spp.), spurges (Euphorbiaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
Grasses were low. Low tree concentrations included birch (Betula spp.), false olive (Buddleja) bushwillow (Combretaceae), olive (Oleaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and poplar (Populaceae). Weeds were mugwort (Artemisia spp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and sedge (Cyperaceae). Mould spores were low.
Kimberley
The spore trap at this site is awaiting a new motor so last week’s findings are repeated. Grasses were low. Low tree concentrations included bushwillow (Combretaceae), poplar (Populaceae), elm (Ulmaceae) and waxberry (Morella spp.). No weed pollen was detected. Mould spores were low.
Durban
Grass, tree and weed pollen was low. Trees were waxberry (Morella spp.), mulberry (Moraceae) and forest elder (Nuxia spp.) Weeds were ferns (Polypodiaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), ragweed (Ambrosia spp) and the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), Moulds were high and a big spike for the allergenic fungal spore Cladosporium appeared after heavy rain.
Gqeberha
Tree, grass and weed pollen was scarce. Tree types included waxberry (Morella spp.), gum (Myrtaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.), olive (Oleaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were sedge (Cyperacea), erica (Ericacea), lily (Liliaceae) and slangbos (Stoebe-type). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
Grasses were low. Tree concentrations were similarly low and the types detected were Australian pine (Casuarina spp.) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), lily (Liliaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Mould spores were low.
