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Ragweed, giant, Ambrosia trifida

Weed Control Options Ragweed, giant
Table of Contents
  1. Life Cycle
  2. Stems
  3. Leaves
  4. Flowers and Fruit
  5. Habitat
  6. Distinguishing Features
  7. Human Health Issues
  8. Media Items

 

Life Cycle

Annual, reproducing only by seed.

Stems

Stems erect, 0.4-4 m tall, usually much-branched and somewhat hairy; leaves opposite (2 per node) throughout the plant except towards the ends of the smaller branches at flowering time where they may be alternate (1 per node).

Leaves

Leaves large, rounded in outline and 3- to 5-lobed, the lobes smooth or coarsely toothed; uppermost small leaves usually not lobed; in some plants most or all leaves not lobed but ovate with acuminate tips and only shallowly toothed; leaf surfaces usually rough (like medium sandpaper).

Flowers and Fruit

Flower heads unisexual as in Common ragweed; male (pollen-producing) flower heads and female (seed-producing) flower heads similar to those described for Common ragweed except that the female head is much larger and usually 2 to 4 are grouped together; seed much larger than Common ragweed, 5-10 mm long with several, prominent, lengthwise ridges ending in short blunt spines around the upper shoulder of the seed. Flowers from August to October.

Habitat

Giant ragweed occurs in river valleys, meadows, roadsides and occasionally in cultivated fields in the southwestern portion of southern Ontario.

Distinguishing Features

It is distinguished by its very tall stature (up to 4 m in height), its large, lobed but not divided leaves, its long, slender spikes of pollen-producing flower heads and its large, angular seeds with spines around the upper shoulder.

Human Health Issues

Caution:

The pollen of Giant ragweed is an important cause of hay fever during August and September, especially in southwestern Ontario.

Media Items

Figure: 1
Figure 1: A. Seedling, top and side views. B. Top of flowering plant. C. Lower portion of flowering branch with 3 stalkless heads, each having 1 female flower. Top

Figure: 2
Figure 2: Giant ragweed seedling. Top

Figure: 3
Figure 3: Mature giant ragweed plant. Top

Figure: 4
Figure 4: Male flower. Top

Figure: 5
Figure 5: Giant ragweed pollen on leaf. Top

Figure: 6
Figure 6: Leaves of giant ragweed. Top

Figure: 7
Figure 7: Large leaf of giant ragweed, rounded in outline and 3-5 lobes. Top

Figure: 8
Figure 8: Branched and hairy stem of giant ragweed. Top