This is Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Common Ragweed folks. It is an annual that blooms late summer into the fall.
And this is Giant Ragweed, Ambrosia trifida. It is also a late summer/fall blooming annual. These are the two Ragweeds that are common in the western portion of North Carolina, though the common ragweed A. artemisiifolia was very common in Hawaii. It is probably very common world wide. These are just two of numerous species in the genus Ambrosia.
And this is an electron microscope picture of Ragweed pollen. It should give you some idea of why it gets stuck in your nose and causes problems. This single pollen grain picture is from the NC State University Center for Electron Microscopy. Ragweed makes oodles and oodles of pollen.
My hardy peasant genes are at work again and I do not seem to be bothered by Ragweed. I have been hand pulling it when ever I see it as I wander about. You can't get more up close and personal than that. That sneezing and head cold a while back must have been just that, a little cold.
And this is a collection of quite a few other late summer/fall blooming weeds. The tall pretty purple one is the Ironweed.
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4 comments:
I always imagined ragweed as a much more vicious looking plant. These seem so benign.
Thanks for the photos - I never actually knew what ragweed looks like before.
The Ragweed is a really non-descript kind of plant that fades into the background and you barely notice it until you look. Then it is every where and majorly prolific. It loves disturbed soil, bare dirt and waste places. I am seeing a lot of it growing along the edges of corn fields.
Thanks for the info! I always used to confuse ragweed with goldenrod, but not any more! Goldenrod is much prettier, IMO.
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