Summary
Pollen in the atmosphere is sparse at most sites. Grass pollen is increasing in summer rainfall areas and significant levels have been recorded in Bloemfontein. Tree pollen was not significant at any of the sites during this sampling period, but weed pollen is increasing. Moulds were generally low but significant levels were detected in Durban.
Cape Town
Grass, tree and weed levels declined in this period of cooler weather with some rain. Trees identified included acacia (Acacia sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), palms (Arecaceae) and the persimmon family (Ebenaceae). Weeds identified included English plantain (Plantaginaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), bulrushes (Typhaceae) and knotweed (Polygonaceae). Moulds were low with small spikes for ascospores following rain.
Johannesburg
Moderate grass counts with low tree and weed counts were detected during this rainy sampling period. Tree pollen included Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.). Only the daisy family (Asteraceae) was recorded in the weeds category. Mould counts were low.
Pretoria
This pollen sampling site is closed over the December holidays, so no archived figures are available for this sampling period. Sampling will resume next week.
Bloemfontein
High grass counts were detected during this sampling period. Low tree levels included hackberry (Celtis sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), waxberry (Myricaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), plane (Platanus sp.) and karee (Rhus / Searsia sp.). Weed pollen counts were moderate and included sedges (Cyperaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), erica (Ericaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and pigmyweeds (Crassula sp.) Fungal spore levels were low.
Kimberley
Estimated values are given based on historical counts for this time of the year. Updated pollen and fungal spore levels for this site will be available from next week. Trees typically found at this time of year include karee (Searsia / Rhus sp.) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds are typically goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae).
Durban
Moulds were high at this site, largely due to ascospores. No significant pollen levels were found. Tree pollen identified included the monkey puzzle tree (Araucariaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and pepper tree (Schinus sp.). Weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), bulrushes (Typhaceae), English plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.), nettles (Urticaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ragweed (Ambrosia sp.).
Gqeberha
Low levels of grasses, trees and weeds were seen. Tree pollen included Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), waxberry (Myricaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and the monkey puzzle tree Araucariaceae). Pigweed (Amaranthus sp.) was the only weed pollen detected.
