Aster family (Asteraceae)
Description: This is a native annual plant up to 3' tall and branching frequently. The hairy stems are green to light pinkish red. The leaves are up to 6" long and 4" across, and are opposite or alternate along the stems. They are deeply pinnatifid, broadly lanceolate (in outline), and usually much wider at the base than the tip. Mature leaves are relatively hairless, but small emergent leaves often have hairs on their undersides. Many of the upper stems terminate in one or more cylindrical spikes of flowers about 1-4" long. Near the base of the central flowering spike, one or two small spikes may develop that are only half as 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. This pollen is usually released during late summer or early fall. Numerous seeds are produced, which can remain viable for 5 years or more. The extensive root system is fibrous.
Cultivation: The preference is full sun and average to slightly dry conditions. This plant is rather indifferent to soil type, and will thrive in soil containing high amounts of clay, gravel, or sand – in fact, it prefers sterile soil because of the reduced competition from other plants. Resistance to drought is very good, although some of the lower leaves may wither away. Common Ragweed is often persistent and aggressive because the seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years. This common plant will introduce itself into a wildflower garden or native habitat, whether it is wanted or not.
Range & Habitat: This plant is very common and widespread, occurring in every county of Illinois (see Distribution Map). It can be found in disturbed areas of mesic to dry black soil prairies, particularly along the margins near developed areas. This ragweed is not particularly common in high quality prairies, but patches or isolated plants are regularly observed. Other native habitats include hill prairies, gravel prairies, meadows in woodland areas, and the edges of gravelly seeps. In developed areas, Common Ragweed is often observed in cropland, abandoned fields, vacant lots, fence rows, and areas along roadsides and railroads. Occasionally, it appears as a weed in gardens and lawns. This plant thrives in practically any kind of disturbance. It has allelopathic properties that inhibit the growth and development of neighboring plants.
Faunal Associations: Common Ragweed is very valuable to many kinds of wildlife. Honeybees have been observed collecting pollen from the male flowers, otherwise flower-visiting insects are not attracted to this plant. The caterpillars of several moths eat the foliage, flowers, or seeds, including Schinia rivulosa (Ragweed Flower Moth), Synchlora aerata (Wavy-Lined Emerald), Tarachidia erastrioides (Small Bird-Dropping Moth), Tarachidia candefacta (Olive-Shaded Bird-Dropping Moth), and others (see Moth Table). In my experience, some species of grasshoppers are quite abundant around colonies of Common Ragweed, probably because they eat the foliage and prefer the disturbed, open habitats where this plant occurs. Many upland gamebirds and granivorous songbirds are attracted to the oil-rich seeds (see Bird Table). Because the spikes of seeds often remain above snow cover, they are especially valuable to some of these birds during winter. The seeds are also eaten to some extent by the Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel, Meadow Vole, and Prairie Vole. The seeds are probably semi-digestible, thus some of them are likely distributed far and wide by these animals. On the other hand, the foliage is quite bitter, therefore mammalian herbivores do not often consume it.
Photographic Location: The photographs were taken in a waste area along a gravel road near Champaign, Illinois.
Comments: Common Ragweed is a major cause of hay fever during the late summer and fall. Aside from this unfortunate characteristic, it has considerable ecological value to various birds and moths, and therefore it isn't necessarily desirable to destroy this plant on sight. Compared to other Ambrosia spp. (Ragweeds) that occur in Illinois, Common Ragweed has more deeply pinnatifid leaves.