Summary
Grass pollen was high on warm still days in Cape Town but low in all other sampled cities. Tree pollen is moderate in Pretoria only and weeds were low throughout South Africa. Moulds were high only in Durban.
Cape Town
Grasses were moderate on average but high on warm, still days. Trees were low and the types detected were monkey puzzle tree (Auracariaceae), bushwillow (Combretaceae), birch (Betulaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), olive (Oleaceae), oak (Quercus spp.), poplar (Populacae), willow (Salicaceae) and pine (Pinaceae). Weeds were goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and English Plantain (Plantaginaceae). Moulds were low.
Calvinia
This spore trap is not operational
Johannesburg
This site is not operating. Averages from the past 4 years are shown. Tree, grass and weed pollen is usually low at this time of year and trees may include birch (Betulaceae), planea (Platanaceae), gum (Myrtaceae), pine (Pinaceae) and olive (Oleaceae). Weeds are likely to be the daisy family (Asteraceae)) and moulds are generally low.
Pretoria:
This spore trap is now operating and findings will be available soon. Averages for the past four years are given. Pollen in the air is usually low at this time of year. Trees include bushwillow (Combretaceae), oak (Quercus spp.), gum (Myrtaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), Weeds are usually the daisy family (Asteraceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and spurges (Euphorbiaceae). Moulds are usually low.
Bloemfontein
Tree counts are now low and include acacia(Acacia-type), birch (Betulus), false olive (Buddleja spp.), bushwillow (Combretaceae), cypress (Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae), olive (Oleaceae), plane (Platanaceae), poplar (Populaceae), karee (Searsia/Rhus spp.), the daisy family (Asteraceae), erica (Ericaceae), pigmyweeds (Crassulaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae) and sorrel (Rumex spp.). Moulds were low.
Kimberley
Grass, tree and weed pollen was low. Trees included bushwillow (Combretaceae), acacia (Acacia-type), willow (Salicaceae), ash (Fraxinus spp.) olive (Oleaceae) and pecan (Carya spp.). No weeds were detected and moulds were very low.
Durban: Tree, grass and weed pollen is usually low in early November. Trees detected at this time may include gum (Myrtaceae), pecan (Carya spp.), cypress, Cupressaceae), mulberry (Moraceae) and birch (Betulaceae). Weeds are goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae) and ferns (Polypodiaceae). Moulds are often high with spikes for Ascospores and Cladosporium.
Gqeberha
Grasses, trees and weeds were low. Only karee (Rhus/Searsia spp) tree pollen was detected in low numbers. Weeds were sedges (Cyperaceae) and rockfoils (Saxifrage). Moulds were low.
Potchefstroom
Low grass, tree and weed pollen concentrations were detected at this sampling site. Trees identified included gum (Myrtaceae), olive (Oleaceae) and yellowwood (Podocarpaceae). Weeds were the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and plantain (Plantaginaceae) and moulds were very low.
George
Pollen in all the categories was low. Trees included willow (Salicaceae), birch (Betulaceae), pine (Pinaceae). Yellowwood (Podocarpaceae), gum (Myrtaceae) and acacia (Acacia-type). Weeds were plantain (Plantaginaceae), sedges (Cyperaceae), ferns (Polypodiaceae), protea (Proteaceae), sorrel (Rumex spp.) the daisy family (Asteraceae) and nettles (Urticaceae). Moulds increased but were not significant.
