great ragweed
Ambrosia trifida
Also known as: great ragweed
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
Le.Loup.Gris
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Ambrosia
- Species:
- Ambrosia trifida
- USDA Symbol:
- AMTR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Asymmetrura matutella, Bidens borer (Epiblema otiosana), Bucculatrix ambrosiaefoliella, Chionodes mediofuscella, Common Pinkband (Ogdoconta cinereola), Conchylodes platinalis, Cremastobombycia ambrosiella, Dichomeris juncidella, Endopiza vernoniana, Forage Looper (Caenurgina erechtea), Gnorimoschema ambrosiaeella, Green Cloverworm Moth (Hypena scabra), mayapple borer (Papaipema rutila), Olethreutes osmundana, Plagiomimicus pityochromus, Ragweed Borer Moth (Epiblema strenuana), Schinia bifascia, soft-lined wave (Scopula inductata), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), Thoreau's flower moth (Schinia thoreaui), Tischeria ambrosiaeella, Tischeria heliopsisella, Tischeria occidentalis, Tricholita signata, Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica), Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia), Charidryas gorgone, Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica) Butterflies:Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in floodplains and disturbed areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with light exposure and warm temperatures after cold stratification; fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI