Inclement weather during the midwinter period reduced pollen and fungal spore (mould) concentrations in the atmosphere. Extremely low pollen and mould concentrations were detected at all the sampling sites across South Africa.
Cape Town
Pollen concentrations remain low in all three categories. Trees were the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) gum (Myrtaceae) and forest elder (Nuxia spp.). No weed pollen was detected and moulds were low
Calvinia
This sampling site is not operational.
Johannesburg
Very low pollen and mould concentrations were found at this site. Trees detected were birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia spp.). Weeds were only lily (Liliaceae).
Pretoria
Pollen in all three categories was low. Trees detected were acacia (Acacia spp.), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and olive (Oleaceae. The only weed seen was goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
Pollen and mould concentrations were extremely low at this sampling site. Trees identified were sumac (Anacardiaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and poplar (Populaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae) and pigmy weeds (Crassulaceae).
Kimberley
The results from the same week in 2022 are given as the pollen strips are not reaching the UCT lab during the winter break. Extremely low pollen and mould loads were seen at this site. Trees detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and bushwillow (Combretaceae). Weeds identified were mallows (Malvaceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) Moulds were very low.
Durban
Grasses were low. Trees were low and included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae) and forest elder (Nuxia spp.). No weed pollen was detected and moulds were low.
Gqeberha
Grasses were low and no tree pollen was detected at this site. Weeds were katstert (Anthospermum spp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds were very low.
Potchefstroom
Pollen concentrations remain low. Trees identified included cypress (Cupressaceae) and ash (Fraxinus spp). Weeds were pigweed (Amaranthaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), lily (Liliaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
