Summary:
Pollen and mould spores remained low during this mid-winter sampling period, where minimum temperatures were as low as 1ºC in some inland cities. Signs of spring were seen in the tree profile in Gauteng, where oak and plane tree pollen is slowly increasing. Weed pollen was very low in all sampled areas of South Africa.
Cape Town
Low grass, tree and weed pollen levels were recorded. The tree pollen detected included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). The daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cypress), erica (Ericaceae), protea (Proteaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.) and nettles (Urticaceae) were seen in the weeds category. Mould levels were low.
Calvinia
Pollen and fungal spore/mould levels were very low as night temperatures dropped to 1̊˚C. Trees detected were the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae).
Johannesburg
Grasses were low. Low tree levels included birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), white mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). In the weed category, only ferns (Polypodicaeae) were detected. Fungal spores/moulds were very low.
Pretoria:
Grasses were low. Low tree levels included cypress (Cupressaceae), oak (Quercus sp.). plane (Platanaceae) and karee (Rhus/Searsia). The only weed pollen detected was the daisy family (Asteraceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spores/moulds were very low.
Bloemfontein
Low grass, weed and tree counts were seen. Trees included cypress (Cupressaceae), white mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae) the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and poplar (Populaceae). No weed pollen was detected. Moulds were extremely low.
Kimberley
Courier delays meant no new data were available. The results from last week are repeated here. 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
No grass pollen was seen during this sampling period. Low tree pollen levels included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and waxberry (Morella sp.). Weeds seen werethe daisy family (Asteraceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spores/moulds were very low.
Gqeberha:
Pollen in the categories of trees, grasses and weeds remained low. Trees detected were the sumac family (Anacardiaceae) and cypress (Cupressaceae). Weeds included slangbos (Stoebe-type), sedges (Cyperaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spores/moulds were very low.
