Pretoria recorded the highest tree pollen levels among the nine South African monitoring sites this week, while Kimberley also reported moderate grass pollen concentrations.

The latest pollen report shows that Pretoria was the only city to record high tree pollen levels.

Grass pollen reached moderate levels in Pretoria and Kimberley, while the remaining monitoring sites recorded generally low concentrations.

Despite the lower counts, a wide variety of trees continue to flower in Johannesburg and Bloemfontein.

Pretoria records high tree pollen levels

Pretoria recorded high tree pollen and moderate grass pollen concentrations during the latest sampling week.

The monitoring station identified several tree species, including jacaranda, cypress, oak, olive, mulberry, gum, poplar and yellowwood.

The station also detected pollen from weeds such as ragweed, pigweed, sedges, plantain and members of the daisy family.

Kimberley records moderate grass pollen

Kimberley recorded moderate grass pollen concentrations, while tree pollen remained low.

The station detected pollen from several trees, including birch, hackberry, pine, olive, plane, poplar and elm.

Mould concentrations also remained low.

Johannesburg and Bloemfontein record low pollen levels

Johannesburg recorded low concentrations across all pollen categories, although several tree species continue to flower.

The monitoring station identified birch, cypress, mulberry, gum, pine, oak, willow and other trees.

It also detected pollen from weeds such as mugwort, pigweed, plantain, sedges and nettles.

Bloemfontein recorded similarly low pollen levels, despite the presence of several flowering trees, including acacia, birch, olive, pine, poplar and karee.

Both cities recorded low mould concentrations.

Rain and cooler weather reduce pollen in Cape Town

Lower temperatures, wind and rain helped reduce pollen concentrations in Cape Town during the sampling week.

The station detected pollen from trees such as Cape holly, mulberry, gum, olive, pine, plane, yellowwood and oak.

It also identified several weeds, including goosefoot, sedges, sorrel, bulrush and nettles.

Mould levels remained low.

Durban records a mould peak

Durban recorded low pollen concentrations across all categories.

The station detected pollen from trees such as jacaranda, cypress, gum, mulberry, olive and poplar.

Weeds included ragweed, goosefoot, sedges, plantain and bulrush.

Although overall mould concentrations remained low, the station recorded a peak in Cladosporium, a mould that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Gqeberha and George record low concentrations

Gqeberha recorded low tree, grass and weed pollen concentrations.

The monitoring station identified olive, pine, yellowwood and buckthorn, along with weeds from the daisy family and sedges.

George also recorded low concentrations across all pollen categories.

Mould levels remained low, although ascospores increased sharply following rainfall.

Rain may have reduced pollen in Potchefstroom

Potchefstroom recorded low pollen concentrations across all categories, possibly because of rainfall during the sampling week.

Mould concentrations remained low.