Common names: common ragweed, short ragweed

Scientific names: Ambrosia artemisiifolia (A. elatior, A. longistylis, A. media)

Seasons of significant use: spring, summer (for Ambrosia spp. complex)

Characteristics: Native, annual, warm season forb to 3.5 feet. Stems erect, sometimes reddish-purple in color; leaves opposite below, alternate above, simple, lobed pinnatifidly to usually bipinnatifidy; plants monoecious; staminate heads in racemiform aggregations; pistillate heads in few-several headed axillary clusters below. Flowers July-October.

Plant community type: Open uplands and bottomlands. Found in disturbed sites or low successional plant communities.

Comments: Usually can tolerate wetter sites than Ambrosia psilostachya.

More Plant Photos and Descriptions:
Appendix C: Plants by Common Name
Appendix C: Plants by Scientific Name
Appendix C: Plants Listed by Family