Bitterweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Bitterweed:
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-BRO-zhuh ar-te-miz-ee-eye-FOH-lee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Weedy
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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
