Giant Ragweed

Description:

Giant ragweed is an annual that frequently exceeds 10 feet tall in moist locations; in drier areas it may mature at a smaller height. Its stems and leaves are rough. The leaves have long petioles, are opposite each other, and are attached to a single center stem. They usually are divided into three lobes but can have five or none. The flowers are either male or female and are located in clusters at the top of the plant; they often exceed 6 inches in length. The pollen spread shortly after flowering in the fall causing many people to have hay fever problems. The seeds are .25 inches long and have four or five terminal spikes on each.

Habitat:

Wichita Forest Park

Notes:

The plant does have some helpful uses for people and animals. Preparations made from leaves and roots of ragweeds have been used by native peoples as astringents, skin disinfectants, emetics, antidotes, and fever reducers. Teas or tinctures have been used for the treatment of fevers, pneumonia, nausea, intestinal cramps, diarrhea and menstrual disorders. Poultices from rag weeds are applied externally to insect bites, rheumatic joints and various skin conditions. The Kiowa rolled the plant up with different sages for use in sweathouses. Ragweed pollen is harvested commercially and manufactured into pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of allergies (immunotherapy). In terms of wildlife, the seeds of ragweed are rich in oil, and the seed production per plant is enormous. Some of the seeds will remain on the plant into winter and are forage for birds and other wildlife. Seeds of Ambrosia species are a staple in the diet of game birds, especially the bobwhite quail, and for many songbirds including the goldfinch, song sparrow, white-throated sparrow, and the junco.