Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.

Common Ragweed; Annual Ragweed

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Common Ragweed is a native herbaceous annual in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found statewide in Alabama. Common Ragweed grows in fields, on roadsides, in ditches, and in a wide variety of disturbed sites. It is an annual with a tap root. It is an erect herb growing from 1-5 feet in height. The plants are branched above the middle. Leaves are opposite (alternate), petiolate, 1-2 pinnately lobed, with toothed margins. Leaves are pubescent and gland dotted. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in terminal spikes. Each head contains either 12-20 pistillate or staminent disc flowers. The involucre is cup-shaped. The fruit is a spiny “bur”. Common Ragweed is wind pollinated and its pollen is a strong allergen. It is the primary cause of hay fever in the autumn. The fruit of Common Ragweed are rich in oils, and are an important food source for birds.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL)

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