Annual Ragweed

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Annual Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a weed species that grows in the majority of North America and Central America, including parts of Southern Canada. It is annual in life cycle, reproducing each year from seed. It can be usually be found in areas with poor soils such as roadsides, disturbed ground, farm fields and wasteland. The plant grows up to a height of 2-4 feet, with greenish-grey velvet like stems and leaves. Its narrow pointed leaves are usually arranged in an alternate pattern with smaller leaves growing in clusters around the stem. Small yellow-green flowers form in a dense heads on top of the branches, which give rise to the spread of copious amounts of pollen during August and September. Annual Ragweed is a problem due to its allergenic properties and importance as an invasive weed species.