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Ambrosia trifida
  • Giant Ragweed

an annual member of the Ambrosia genus in the family Compositae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Ambrosia trifida has 0 edible uses listed
Ambrosia trifida has 0 material uses listed
Ambrosia trifida has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The pollen of this plant is a major cause of hayfever in N. America[1]. Ingesting or touching the plant can cause allergic reactions in some people[1].

Edible uses

Notes

This plant was cultivated by the pre-Columbian N. American Indians, seeds found in pre-historic sites are 4 - 5 times larger than those of the present-day wild plant, which seems to indicate selective breeding by the Indians[2]. The following report is for A. artemesifolia, it quite possibly also applies to this species[K]. An oil is obtained from the seed. It has been suggested for edible purposes because it contains little linolenic acid[3][4]. The seed contains up to 19% oil[3], it has slightly better drying properties than soya bean oil[4].

Unknown part

Oil

Material uses

A red colour is obtained from the crushed heads[2]. (This probably refers to the seed heads[K].) The sap of the plant can stain the skin red[5].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are very astringent, emetic and febrifuge[1][6]. They are applied externally to insect bites and various skin complaints, internally they are used as a tea in the treatment of pneumonia, fevers, nausea, intestinal cramps, diarrhoea and mucous discharges[1].

The juice of wilted leaves is disinfectant and is applied to infected toes[6]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of menstrual disorders and stroke[1].

The pollen is harvested commercially and manufactured into pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of allergies to the plant[1].

Unknown part

Antidote
Astringent
Emetic
Poultice
Skin
Women's complaints

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in situ in April.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ambrosia trifida. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

We have very little information on this species but suggest growing it in a sunny position in a well-drained soil[K]. This plant is sometimes cultivated by the N. American Indians for food and medicine[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ambrosia trifida. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Ambrosia trifida.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ambrosia trifida
Genus
Ambrosia
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[1][6]
Material uses & Functions
[2][5]
Botanic
[1][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    2 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

    "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.7 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    7. ? Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)

    "image:Ambrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Ambrosia_trifida&oldid=75006"
    Facts about "Ambrosia trifida"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusAmbrosia +
    Has common nameGiant Ragweed +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useOil +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has imageAmbrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntidote +, Astringent +, Emetic +, Poultice +, Skin + and Women's complaints +
    Has primary imageAmbrosia trifida (inflorescences).jpg +
    Has search nameambrosia trifida + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAmbrosia trifida +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +