Summary
Mid-autumn weather reduced pollen and fungal spores in the ambient air of most of the sites. Summer rainfall areas may have moderate counts for grass as was seen in Kimberley, Potchefstroom and Pretoria.
Cape Town
Pollen concentrations were below the significant threshold in all three categories. Trees detected were gum (Myrtaceae), elm (Ulmaceae), karee (Rus/Searsia) and waxberry (Morella). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), protea (Proteaceae) and mugwort (Artemisia). Moulds were insignificant.
Johannesburg
This site is not operating. Means for the past four years are given and tree pollen previously seen at this time was pine (Pinaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), pigweed (Amaranthaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and mugwort (Artemisia. Moulds were insignificant.
Pretoria
Means are given as the strip was not received for reading Trees previously seen at this time of year were mulberry (Moraceae) and gum (Myrtaceae) and weeds were the daisy family Asteraceae) and goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Bloemfontein
Low pollen concentrations in all three categories were seen at this site. Trees included acacia (Acacia), hackberry (Celtis), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds were ice plants (Aizoaceae), sedge (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae) and mallows (Malvaceae). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grass pollen in dry hot weather disappears from the air but reappears after rain when moderate concentrations are seen. Few trees are releasing pollen and only elm (Ulmaceae) was detected from this pollen catch. Weeds were the daisy family (Asteraceae), knotweed (Persicaria), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), Moulds were low with small spikes for ascospores after rain.
Durban:
Grasses were insignificant as were trees and weeds. Trees identified included birch (Betulus), gum (Myrtaceae), elm (Ulmaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds were sedge (Cyperaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds were low.
Gqeberha
The counts were delayed due to illness. Please see the findings for George until new counts are received.
Potchefstroom
Grass concentrations in the air were moderate. Trees and weeds were low. Trees detected included Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), waxberry (Morella spp.), gum (Myrtaceae), spruce (Picea spp.), and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were pigweeds, the daisy family (Amaranthaceae), sedge (Asteraceae), Pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria spp.), knotweed (Persicaria spp.), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and nettle (Urticaceae. Moulds were low. Only one day of the current week was read so mean counts of this time period in 2023 and this week’s findings are shown.
George
All pollen counts were below the significant thresholds. Trees detected were elm (Ulmaceae) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds were ferns (Polypodiaceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), sedge (Cyperaceae and, mallows (Malvaceae). Moulds were insignificant, but small spikes for Epicoccum are noted.
Reference Range
Grass: Low: 0-5 Moderate: 6-20 High: 21-200
Trees: Low: 0-15 Moderate: 16-90 High: 91-1500
Weeds: Low: 0-10 Moderate: 10-50 High: 51-500
Moulds: Low: 0-900 Moderate: 900-2500 High 2500-25000
Unit: per cubic metre
