Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Ambrosia
Species:	A. artemisiifolia
Binomial name
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.
Synonyms
Ambrosia elatior

Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Common Ragweed, is the most widespread plant of the genus Ambrosia in North America. It has also been called Annual Ragweed, Bitterweed, Blackweed, Carrot Weed, Hay Fever Weed, Roman Wormwood, Stammerwort, Stickweed, Tassel Weed, and American Wormwood. It is native in North America.

Description

Common Ragweed grows to about one meter (3 feet) in height. Its wind-dispersed pollen is a strong allergen to many people with hay fever. Common Ragweed emerges in the late spring, and sets seed in later summer or fall.

Invasive species

It has become an invasive species in some European countries , and in Japan, where it is known as butakusa —pig grass.

Common ragweed is a very competitive weed and can produce yield losses in soybeans as high as 30%. Control with night tillage reduces emergence by around 45%. Small grains in rotation will also suppress common ragweed if they are overseeded with clover. Otherwise, the ragweed will grow and mature and produce seed in the small grain stubble. Several herbicides are effective against common ragweed, although resistant populations are known to exist.

Phytoremediation

Ambrosia artemisiifolia is used in phytoremediation projects, removing heavy metals such as Lead from the soil.

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment
• USDA Plants Profile
• GRIN Species Profile