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American Wormwood Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Phonetic Spelling
am-BRO-zhuh ar-te-miz-ee-eye-FOH-lee-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Ragweed is a summer annual weed in the Asteraceae (daisy) family and is the culprit for causing allergies, hayfever, and contact dertmiatisis. It is native to North America and is present throughout the country and Canada. Ragweed will grow in poor soils in full sun and is very drought tolerant. The male flowers release copious amounts of pollen in late summer to fall that is dispursed by the wind. Many seeds are produced that remain viable for several years. Birds and game birds love the seeds due to the high oil content.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#large leaves#summer annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#food source summer#food source fall#warm season weed#hairy stems#contact dermatitis#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#large leaves#summer annual weed#high maintenance#fast growing#food source summer#food source fall#warm season weed#hairy stems#contact dermatitis#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ambrosia
    Species:
    artemisiifolia
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Teas from the leaves used in herbal medicine.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    Throughout
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds love the seeds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Woody achene with 4-7 spine-like projections, resembling a crown. They contain numerous seeds that are viable for up to 5 years.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Monoecious, male flowers in 1-4 inch long terminal racemes occur and may have 2 short side spikes. Female flowers are in axillary clusters below the male. The individual 1/8 inch flower is green, turns yellow-green then brown as it matures. Pollen is released late summer into fall and is carried by the wind.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Pinnatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Green leaves are up to 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. They can be alternate or opposite along the stem and have a delicate appearance, deeply lobed with the base being much wider than the tip. Young leaves will have hairs on the undersides.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Pinkish red grooved stems are hairy.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Hayfeaver, seasonal rhinitis in the fall or skin irrigation to those allergic to the pollen either from airborne pollen or thorough contact. Also toxic to livestock animals.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Volatile oils
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes