Woollyleaf Bursage, Woolly Bursage

[Ambrosia grayi (A. Nels.) Shinners]

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

young shoots emerging from creeping roots in spring ▲

silvery foliage on mature plants ▲▼

flowering plants▲

▲ inflorescence

▲ ▼ male flowers (above), female bur-like flower (below)

Woolly Bursage:  (pp.64-65, Weeds of the Great Plains; not in Weeds of the Northeast)

·         Creeping perennial with deep creeping roots; grows 6 -24 inches tall; common on fertile, moist areas of western states

·         Leaves pinnately lobed, gray-green to silvery in color due to many hairs; leaves larger than common ragweed leaves

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