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Skeletonleaf Bursage, Skeletonleaf Ragweed

Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt.

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

▲ ▼new shoots emerging from creeping roots in spring

▲ ▼young plants

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ creeping root with shoots

▲ ▼flowering plants

▲ ▼flowering plants

 

Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt., Skeletonleaf Ragweed: (Bayer Code:  FRSTO; US Code AMTO3)

·         Creeping perennial with deep, creeping roots

·         Grows 4-24 inches tall on dry, infertile, sandy soils

·         Has very much divided (fernlike) leaves with overall triangular shape; leaves more finely-divided than common ragweed

·         Leaf upper surface is gray-green to whitish, due to hairs, and underside is gray-green to green; no glands on leaves

·         Another species, weakleaf bur ragweed has similar leaves, but weakleaf bur ragweed leaves do have tiny glands on leaves and a stronger odor

·         Leaves have medicinal odor if bruised

·         Flowers are on fat, ragweed-like, spike inflorescences, with small hooked, bur-like fruit at base of spike at maturity

 

 

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Updated 19 January 2019