Organic Horticulture in the Mid-Atlantic/Common ragweed

Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Common Ragweed)
Ambrosia artemisiifolia (Common Ragweed) is an annual native plant which emerges from any exposed soil in mid-spring. Leaves are opposite and finely dissected. The root consists of a thick white taproot, developing axillary hairs as the season goes on.

The plants are easily grubbed, and can be composted safely until flowers are produced in summer (the small yellow flowers are held on terminal green spikes).

Young plants can sometimes be mistaken for seedlings of garden plants such as Acer japonicum.

Seeds are produced in early autumn, and are spread by foot traffic and wind.

Flowering plant
young plant
Plant with roots