Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Common Ragweed
(Annual Ragweed)
Ambrosia artemisiifolia [C-value
0]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms
August
- September
The native Common Ragweed is very common (unfortunately) in our area and is on the Illinois Noxious Weeds List. This nasty weed is a summer annual that thrives in all kinds of disturbed sunny sites and soils. It grows to 3' tall with leaves up to 6" long and 4" across and deeply pinnatifid and broadly lance-shaped. Upper stems terminate in one or more cylindrical spikes of flowers about 1-4" long. The small flowers are initially green, but later turn yellowish green or brown as they mature and develop into achenes. Each flower is about 1/8" long, the males producing a fine yellow pollen that is easily carried by the wind causing many people to suffer with Ragweed allergy problems.
Common Ragweed along Minkler Road August 31, 2014
Common Ragweed along railroad track August 15, 2013
Common Ragweed along railroad track August 15, 2013
It has allelopathic properties that can inhibit the growth and development of neighboring plants.
Click here for more information.
Copyright © 2011-2017 by Kendall County Forest Preserve District. All Rights Reserved.