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Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
Ragweed, scientifically known as Ambrosia artemisiifolia, is a common plant notorious for triggering seasonal allergies, often referred to as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Considerations for Pets
- Ragweed pollen is a known allergen and can affect animals as well as humans.
Considerations for Children
- Ragweed pollen is a known allergen and can affect children.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Ambrosia artemisiifolia
- Common Names: Ragweed, Common Ragweed, Annual Ragweed
- Other Language Names:
- English: Common Ragweed, Giant Ragweed
- French: Petite herbe à poux, Grande herbe à poux
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to North America, ragweed has spread rapidly since the 1960s, particularly in warmer regions.
- It is commonly found in fields, gardens, roadsides, and is widespread in Quebec and Montreal.
Ecological Role
- Ragweed is considered a significant weed, particularly in Queensland, Australia, where it is a declared pest.
- Its pollen is a major allergen, causing about half of all cases of pollen-associated allergic rhinitis in North America.
- Climate change is expected to increase its prevalence in Europe.
Morphological Characteristics
- Common ragweed grows up to five feet tall.
- It has hairy stems and light green leaves, up to 4 inches long.
- It possesses a shallow, fibrous root system.
- The leaves are described as lacy and palmate (with parts diverging from a central point).
Pollen Characteristics
- A single ragweed plant can produce about a billion grains of pollen per season.
- Ragweed plants make small, light, and dry pollen grains that are easily transported by wind.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- The primary interaction highlighted is its impact on humans as an allergen.
Further Information
- International Ragweed Society: [Link to hypothetical website: http://ragweed.eu/]