Ambrosia cumanensis Kunth in H.B.K.
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Western ragweed is a native, warm-season perennial in the Sunflower family. A common Texas plant, it is also called perennial ragweed.
Western ragweed is rhizomatous and can reproduce through vegetative tillers that come from the parent plant. The plant grows from long rootstock, with stout, many-branched stems that can reach heights of 12 to 72 inches.
The leaves are thick, gray-green and hairy or bristly. They are 2 to 5 inches long and have deep serrations along the margins. The serrations are sometimes pointed, sometimes rounded. The plant flowers from late summer through fall.
The seeds of western ragweed are borne along a central stem that grows 2 to 6 inches long at the top of the plant. The seed clusters are chaffy (like grain husks), becoming pointed and bristly with maturity.
This plant provides good grazing for wildlife and poor grazing for livestock.
Western ragweed grows mainly on disturbed sites, dry rangelands and hillsides. It is a common rangeland weed across Texas.
Seed Type: Non-Encapsulated
Stem Texture: Hairy
Growth Habit: Forbs/Broadleaf
Distribution : 01 - Pineywoods, 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Brush and Weeds of Texas Rangelands (B-6208)
Collection: Brush and Weeds