Page 15 - Waterfall Issue 9_2022

Most trees in Waterfall, flower from August, followed by a six-week pollen release

The Waterfall Valley Par 3 course - three to four hours after mowing, a silver male
inflorescence can be seen.

Bees are an example of Veld grasses in bloom at
manual pollinators Waterfall Point This picture illustrates how we measure an increase or decrease per season in Pom Poms.

August – December: Trees cut as a threat to its survival and reproduction will still occur. Thus,
Most trees in Waterfall will flower immediately produces new seeds. the rootzone has to be removed to
from August, followed by a six-week ensure the plant does not reproduce.
pollen release. This can be a bit October – May: Weeds
earlier or later, depending on the With pollination also comes the The Verbena weed is very similar
temperature of the atmosphere. unfortunate spreading of weed seeds. in its botany, reproductive
Pollen from weeds can spread through system and control measures
September – May: Grasses rivers like the Jukskei running through as the Pom Pom weed.
Veld grasses: We are blessed with Waterfall. In heavy downpours, these
over 160ha of greenbelts in the seeds can travel kilometres and December – May: Blackjacks
greater Waterfall area. The veld germinate on the banks, produce Each plant can produce 3 000 seeds in
grasses are an Egoli-Granite mixture, pollen and be spread via birds etc. a single generation. It’s an obnoxious
and the peak pollen period is weed to get rid of at the best of
from September to February. In the Waterfall greenbelts, times. Both Blackjacks and Khakibos
the weed pollen flushes are are fire tolerant and controlled
Reeds: The species prominent as follows: burning will not assist in regulation
at Waterfall, Phragmites, will measures. Manual removal is your
seed in August/September. September – December: Pom most effective way of dealing with it.
Pom and Verbena weeds
Residential lawns: Cynodon lawns will • Each stem carries approximately ALLERGIES
release pollen between September 6 - 8 flowerheads (seeds). Allergic reactions to airborne pollen
and May. The seeds are tiny and are • The stems are bunched in packs of 20, grains are common among humans.
spread by mowing, pets and walking. thus 120 - 160 flowers per bunch. The allergic condition is often referred
• A 1 000 litre bag is used to collect to as hayfever. A fantastic source in
Kikuyu lawn will seed from them. South Africa with real-time scientific
September to February. A common • On average in summer, we will fill data is ‘The Real Pollen Count’, which
theme with Kikuyu lawn owners is over 200 bags from our greenbelts; provides you with weekly spore trap
that they will mow the lawn and a a staggering 1.2 million flowerheads figures throughout South Africa.
couple of hours later will see a fine per season. This is very useful when you suffer
silver layer over it. This is the male • Removing the flowerhead stops from allergies and have to travel.
inflorescence that recognises the seed dispersal, but vegetative Ref: Pollencount.co.za

Waterfall Issue 9 2022 13