Giant Ragweed

Plant Profile
FYUSE 3D Image	Common Name: Giant Ragweed Species Name: Ambrosia trifida Plant Type: Forb Family Name: Asteraceae, Sunflower Family


Plant Facts
Origin	Native
Duration	Annual
Distribution in the U.S.	Central half of the country from Canada to Mexico
Distribution in Oklahoma	Throughout the state

ID Characteristics

Field Identification Characteristics
Vegetative
- Can be a very tall, large plant (6+ feet)
- Large palmate, lobed leaves on long stems
- Foliage dark green
- When plant is cut and squeezed, it will ooze a watery red sap
Floral
- Flowers green in vertical clusters; seed heads brown in fall and winter
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Leaf Type: Simple
- Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
- Leaf Shape: 3-5 lobed
- Stipules: Absent
Floral Characteristics
- Petal Number: 8-10 (male); 1-2 (female)
- Flower Color: Green (inconspicuous)
- Flower Timing: July-October
- Fruit Type: Achene


Habitat/Ecology
Soil Type	Various; best growth in moist, deep soil
Habitat	Moist, disturbed sites with deep soil
Successional Stage	Early