common ragweed
ExplorePlants
common ragweed
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Common ragweed is a tall plant with green, jagged leaves and tiny green flowers. It grows in many places and is known for its ability to spread quickly in gardens and fields.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The common ragweed has fern-like, deeply lobed leaves that are hairy and grey-green, often lighter underneath. Its inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers grow in slender spikes at the top of the plant and branch tips. This makes it look less showy than many other plants blooming in late summer.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusAmbrosia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A single ragweed plant can produce over a billion pollen grains in one season!
Despite its commonness, the name 'Ambrosia' comes from Greek myths meaning 'food of the gods'!
Its super tough seeds can wait in the soil for over 80 years before finally sprouting!
Ragweed pollen is one of the leading causes of hay fever, making many people sneeze in autumn!
Special abilities
Ability
Pollen Powerhouse
Common ragweed produces billions of tiny, lightweight pollen grains that can travel for miles, helping it spread far and wide.
Ability
Seed Vault
Its seeds are incredibly tough, capable of staying dormant and viable in the soil for decades, ready to sprout when conditions are right.
Ability
Disturbance Dynamo
This plant quickly colonizes disturbed soil, such as construction sites or fields, making it a master of taking over bare ground.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-250 cm
- Spread
- 30-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer-fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
Ragweed Leaf Beetle
Zygogramma suturalis
Adults and larvae feed on ragweed leaves.
eaten by
Ragweed Borer
Papaipema nebris
Larvae bore into and feed on the stems of ragweed plants.
eats
American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
These birds often feed on the seeds of common ragweed.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Invasive
Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
If you see ragweed, don't touch it too much because it can make some people sneeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is common ragweed?
10-250 cm
How wide does common ragweed spread?
30-100 cm
How big are the flowers on common ragweed?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does common ragweed bloom?
Summer-fall
Is common ragweed edible?
No
Is common ragweed toxic?
None
What is common ragweed's lifecycle?
Annual
How is common ragweed pollinated?
Wind
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