Skeletonleaf Bursage, Skeletonleaf Ragweed

(Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt.)

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

new shoots emerging from creeping roots in spring ▲

young plant ▲

creeping root with shoots ▲

flowering plant ▲

Skeletonleaf Bursage:  (mentioned on p.64, Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

·         Creeping perennial with deep creeping roots; grows 4-24 inches tall, common on dry, infertile, sandy soils

·         Has very much divided (fernlike) leaves, even more divided than  Common Ragweed

·         Leaf upper surface is gray-green to dark green, and  undersurface is whitish, due to hairs

·         Leaves have a medicinal odor if bruised

·         Flowers are on a fat, ragweed-like inflorescence, with small hooked burlike fruit at base at maturity