Ragweed pollen is a common allergen. A single plant may produce about a billion grains of pollen per season. Curiously, The genus name is from the Greek ambrosia, meaning “food or drink of immortality”.
We have two species commonly found in our area.
Giant Ragweed is a native species which is often found on river floodplains. It can grow up to 15 feet in height.
I found plenty of it during a walk along the Don River.
Common Ragweed is also considered native and is very weedy in habit. It can grow up to 6 feet in height.
Other plants by the Don River:
Area views:
MAILBOX
Interesting speculations about these immigrants from the 1960s:
NATURE POETRY
GOLDENROD
On roadsides, in fall fields,
in rumpy bunches,
saffron and orange and pale gold,
in little towers, soft as mash,
sneeze bringers and seed bearers,
full of bees and yellow beads
and perfect flowerlets
and orange butterflies. – Mary Oliver
Miles Hearn