Ambrosia artemisifolia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hogweed
• short ragweed
• Ragweed
• Roman-wormwood
• bitterweed
• common ragweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia subsp. diversifolia
• Ambrosia umbellata
• Ambrosia elatior
• Iva monophylla
• Ambrosia elatior f. aurea
• Ambrosia monophylla
• Ambrosia glandulosa
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. paniculata
• Ambrosia chilensis
• Ambrosia diversifolia
• Ambrosia elatior var. artemisiifolia
• Ambrosia elatior var. heterophylla
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia f. villosa
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia f. gracilissima
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. octocornis
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. quadricornis
• Ambrosia elata
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. jamaicensis
• Ambrosia senegalensis
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia subsp. diversifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific biological identification is placed within the genus Ambrosia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark and the coastal areas of Great Britain. It can also be found growing within the territory of Ireland. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the northern landscapes of Norway. Finally, its geographical range reaches into Middle Europe, specifically within Austria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ambrosia artemisiifolia is characterized by its remarkable adaptability across a diverse range of environmental conditions and successional stages. It inhabits various ecosystems, ranging from anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) to specialized natural formations such as the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), and Restinga. This broad distribution is supported by a significant altitudinal plasticity; the species can be found at sea level, with an elevational range extending from 0 m to a maximum of 1750 m AMSL, though it maintains an average elevation of approximately 1800 m AMSL across its documented presence. This wide ecological amplitude allows the plant to colonize both disturbed landscapes and diverse biomes, thriving in both coastal and inland habitats.

Elevational range max:

1750 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Ambrosia artemisiifolia are characterized by a complex chromosomal structure that plays a significant role in its evolutionary adaptability and reproductive strategies. The species exhibits variations in its karyotype, with reported chromosome numbers of 34 and 36. This chromosomal variability suggests a high degree of genomic plasticity, which may facilitate the plant's ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions and respond to various selective pressures. Such fluctuations in chromosome numbers are often indicative of historical polyploidization events or structural rearrangements within the genome, contributing to the genetic diversity observed across different populations of the species.

Chromosome number :

34, 36

Life history

The life history of Ambrosia artemisiifolia is characterized by its existence as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods of its environment through the production of resilient seeds rather than maintaining vegetative structures above ground. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it reaches the end of its seasonal cycle to facilitate seed dispersal and dormancy. This life strategy allows the species to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats, transitioning from germination to flowering and seed maturation in a single year.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

Morphologically, Ambrosia artemisiifolia is characterized as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb, which exhibits a self-supporting growth habit rather than acting as a climber or liana. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and is strictly a terrestrial species, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies. The plant's stature is variable, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 2 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 0.8725 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

0.8725 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ambrosia artemisiifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy that dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. The plant's foliar morphology shows significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 16 cm, and leaf widths spanning from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 38.77 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 231.3 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its strategy for optimizing light interception and resource allocation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

38.77 cm²

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.6 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

231.3 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ambrosia artemisiifolia is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in August and concludes in October. During this stage, the plant utilizes an insect-based pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is absent, indicating a reliance on external vectors. The resulting fruit is classified as an achene, which is indehiscent in nature and possesses a mean fruit length of 0.4 cm. The seeds produced are extremely lightweight, with a mean seed mass of 0.00399 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00396 g to a maximum of 0.00402 g. Regarding seed dispersal, the plant exhibits an unspecialized syndrome, though it is also noted to be anthropochorous, meaning it can be dispersed by human activity.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00402 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00399 g

Seed mass min:

0.00396 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ambrosia artemisiifolia has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,2-Dihydroparthenin, Ambrosic acid, Artemisiifolin, Coronopilin, Peruvin.

1,2-Dihydroparthenin

1. Dr. Duke

Ambrosic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Artemisiifolin

1. Dr. Duke

Coronopilin

1. Dr. Duke

Peruvin

1. Dr. Duke

Psilostachyin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Psilostachyin B

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Psilostachyin C

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

cumanin

1. Dr. Duke

isorhamnetin glucoside

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ambrosia artemisiifolia has 7 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allelopathic, Allergenic?, Antibacterial, Antifeedant, Antitumor.

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Pesticide

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Ambrosia artemisiifolia has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include blood poisoning, seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Blood poisoning

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Seasonal allergic rhinitis

1. PloS one

Preparations

Ambrosia artemisiifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include given to horses to prevent and avoid blood poisoning.

Given to horses to prevent and avoid blood poisoning

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)