Giant Ragweed

The giant ragweed scientifically referred to as Ambrosia trifida, looks far different than its smaller brother the common ragweed. However, both are listed as being the cause of ragweed allergies. The giant ragweed is a very large broadleaf annual weed and is rated as the leading cause of allergies due in part by the plant being capable of releasing up to a billion pollen particles in a single season.

This native annual (in the aster family) can stand from 3-15’ tall. The leaves are divided into 3-5 lobes and the green stems are covered with white hairs. The leaves themselves can reach a width of 12” long and 8’ across.

What is so Special about the Giant Ragweed?

In and of itself there is nothing spectacular about the giant ragweed. The overall foliage is rather dull and the yellow flowers offer nothing remarkable to look at. The one thing that makes this plant interesting is that given the right conditions, this weed can grow to heights of up to 15 feet. The stalk can be as thick as a broom handle and have many branches from the bottom all the way up to the top.

It grows all across the North American continent with the exception of Nevada, it also grows in Canada. It will grow in loose soil and can be found along roadsides all over. It also inhabits disturbed areas of moist clay prairies, meadows in forests, near rivers, thickets, and woodland borders.

Since it spreads by way of seeds, this plant will take over large areas rather quickly. The best way to stop the spread of this irritating weed is to eliminate it before it has a chance to reach the seed stage, which will reduce your giant ragweed allergy symptoms greatly.

In North America the giant ragweed is one of the most competitive weeds to be found. If left alone in a corn field it can reduce corn crop by 55% and soybeans by 52% and it can be very difficult to control.

When is Ragweed Season?

Depending on where you live, ragweed allergy season starts from the end of summer and continues until the first frost. The farther north you live, the later the season starts.

The pollen from the giant ragweed is considered to be the most potent of all pollens. The seeds are large, tough-coated and can stay viable in the soil where it lands for several years.

One of the biggest problems is that not only does ragweed produce so much pollen, but the plants will grow just about anywhere. It uses the wind to help with the fertilization process, in which the male plant produces the seeds that are carried by the wind to find a female plant.

Fighting Ragweed Allergy

Although there is no cure for ragweed allergies, you can take steps in preventing the symptoms from taking over your daily life by practicing pollen allergy avoidance tips.

• Change your clothes when you come in from outside to avoid bringing pollen into your home.
• Pollen will collect in your hair so make sure you wash your hair before going to bed.
• some type of protection for your eyes to help stop pollen from getting into your eyes.
• Use a nasal irrigation system to keep pollen cleaned out of your nose.
• Keep your windows closed and the air conditioner on.
• A quality air purifier does a great job at giving you a place to go to get some relief from pollen and symptoms.
• Always wash your hands before rubbing your eyes.
• Vacuum regularly with a quality vacuum that has a HEAP filter.

In order to reduce the effects of giant ragweed on your allergies, there are several other things that you can do around your house. To start with, if you see this plant starting to grow in your yard or garden, you need to put on a pair of gloves and pull it out. Even though the plant can become very large, in the early stages, it is easy to pull out of the ground.

If you can avoid being outside during peak hours when the pollen count is the highest, you can reduce your risk of exposure. For those that must be outside, consider wearing a mask over your nose and mouth. When you come back in head straight for the shower and wash your hair thoroughly. Wash your clothes to remove pollen and change clothes every time you come in.

Pollen is going to get into your house unless you have airlocks and a completely sealed house. However, if you keep the doors and windows closed during high pollen counts, you can reduce the amount of pollen that does get in. The rest you can eliminate through the use of a good quality air filter on your central air conditioner.

There is no single easy way to avoid giant ragweed pollen and the allergy symptoms it entails; you may still need to use an allergy medicine to help you cope with them. If after you have taken every precaution that you can, and the ragweed allergy symptoms are still unbearable; you should talk to your doctor about getting medications, allergy shots or antihistamine sprays.

Go to the ragweed HOME PAGE from giant ragweed.

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