Ambrosia ambrosioides – Ambrosia Leaf Bur Ragweed

Ambrosia ambrosioides - Ambrosia Leaf Bur Ragweed, Ambrosia Leaf Burr-Ragweed, Canyon Ragweed (flowers)

Ambrosia ambrosioides - Ambrosia Leaf Bur Ragweed, Ambrosia Leaf Burr-Ragweed, Canyon Ragweed (fruit)

Ambrosia ambrosioides - Ambrosia Leaf Bur Ragweed, Ambrosia Leaf Burr Ragweed, Canyon Ragweed

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Ambrosia ambrosioides

Synonym: Franseria ambrosioides

Common Names: Ambrosia Leaf Bur Ragweed, Ambrosia Leaf Burr-Ragweed, Canyon Ragweed

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Shrub, Subshrub

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Desert, Upland (canyons)

Flower Color: Yellowish to yellowish tan

Flowering Season: Spring

Height: To 5 feet (1.5 m) tall or more

Description: The flower heads are clustered on terminal and lateral flower spikes. The flowers are wind-pollinated and are followed by spiny burs. The leaves are simple, dark green in color, mostly alternate, petiolate, hairy, coarsely toothed, lanceolate to narrowly triangular in shape, and up to 7 inches (18 cm) long. The stems are reddish brown in color and covered in bristly hair. The plants are usually rangy in appearance.

Special Characteristics

Allergenic – The flowers have highly allergenic pollen, and skin contact with the plants may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae – Aster family
Genus: Ambrosia L. – ragweed
Species: Ambrosia ambrosioides (Cav.) Payne – ambrosia leaf bur ragweed

More About This Plant

Arizona County Distribution Map