Summary
Overall pollen counts were high in Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Pretoria. A peak in tree pollen was seen in Bloemfontein, with moderate levels also recorded in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. Moderate grass counts were observed in Kimberley, Pretoria and Johannesburg, while weeds were moderate in Bloemfontein and Cape Town. Durban was the only site with significant fungal spore loads.
Cape Town
Low grass counts with moderate tree and weed counts were recorded. Trees included the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), the monkey puzzle family (Araucariaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), beech (Fagus sp.), birch (Betulaceae), waxberry (Morella sp.), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and lindens (Tiliaceae). The weeds detected were the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), borages (Boraginaceae), erica (Ericaceae), the iris family (Iridaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae), figworts (Scrophulariaceae), protea (Proteaceae), sorrel (Rumex sp.), the citrus/buchu family (Rutaceae), dandelion (Taraxacum sp.), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), bulrush (Typhaceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spores were low.
Calvinia
The pollen from this site did not reach the laboratory in time for analysis, and the results from last week are repeated here. Pollen and mould counts were very low at this site. Trees detected were the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), olive (Oleaceae), mesquite (Prosopis sp.) and gum (Myrtaceae). Weeds included sedges (Cyperaceae), erica (Ericaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), dandelion (Taraxacum sp.), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae) and the daisy family (Asteraceae).
Johannesburg
Grass and tree pollen levels were moderate, while weeds remained low. The tree pollen detected were hackberry (Celtis sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.), elm (Ulmaceae) and the myrsine family (Myrsinaceae). Weeds included pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), mugwort (Artemisia sp.), katstert (Anthospermum sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and bulrush (Typhaceae). Fungal spores were very low.
Pretoria
Moderate to high grass counts, moderate tree counts, and low weed counts were recorded. Trees included birch (Betulaceae), Australian pine (Casuarina sp.), cypress (Cupressaceae), ash (Fraxinus sp.), Cape holly (Ilex sp.), mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), pine (Pinaceae), oak (Quercus sp.) and karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.). The weeds observed were the daisy family (Asteraceae), the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Fungal spores were not significant.
Bloemfontein
High tree counts, moderate weed counts, and low grasses were recorded during this sampling period. The tree pollen detected were acacia (Acacia sp.), birch (Betulaceae), false olive (Buddleja sp.), hackberry (Celtis sp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), a peak in mulberry (Moraceae), gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae), mesquite (Prosopis sp.), buckthorn (Rhamnaceae), karee (Rhus/Searsia sp.) and elm (Ulmaceae). Weeds included the daisy family (Asteraceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), a peak in plantain (Plantaginaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), and nettles (Urticaceae). Fungal spores were low.
Kimberley
Grass pollen increased to moderate levels at the end of this sampling week, despite rain. No tree pollen was detected. Weeds were low and included knotweed (Persicaria sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae) and the citrus/buchu family (Rutaceae). Moulds were low.
Durban
Grass, tree and weed pollen concentrations were low during this sampling period with intermittent rain which removes pollen from the air. Trees detected were gum (Myrtaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae) and mulberry (Moraceae). Weeds included knotweed (Persicaria sp.), sedges (Cyperaceae), the daisy family (Asteraceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), nettles (Urticaceae), mezereum (Thymelaeaceae), buckwheat (Polygonaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were moderate.
Gqeberha
No tree pollen with very low levels of grass and weed pollen were seen during this week. Weeds included pigweed (Amaranthus sp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae) and mezereum (Thymelaeaceae). Mould were also very low.
