Ragweed (Common Ragweed, American Wormwood, Bitterweed, Bloodweed)
Feed in Moderation
- Common Name: Ragweed (Common Ragweed, American Wormwood, Bitterweed, Bloodweed)
- Latin Name: Ambrosia spp.
- Family Name: Asteraceae/Compositae
Although a rare plant in the UK, Ragweed has recently been sighted in the South of England, and given the highly invasive nature of this plant, it will no doubt become more common.
In the USA it is a very common weed and its highly allergenic pollen is the number one cause of hay fever in humans. Cattle and horses do not eat Ragweed (perhaps because it has properties that inhibit milk production), but it is known that Gopher tortoises in the USA do eat this plant.
Because Ragweed has the ability to absorb large quantities of nitrates from the soil, if the plant is growing in or near ground that has been fertilised then you should not feed it, but if grown on unfertilised, poor soil it can be fed in moderation.
Do not confuse with Kochia scoparia, which is also called Ragweed, and do not confuse with Ragwort which is toxic.
In the USA it is a very common weed and its highly allergenic pollen is the number one cause of hay fever in humans. Cattle and horses do not eat Ragweed (perhaps because it has properties that inhibit milk production), but it is known that Gopher tortoises in the USA do eat this plant.
Because Ragweed has the ability to absorb large quantities of nitrates from the soil, if the plant is growing in or near ground that has been fertilised then you should not feed it, but if grown on unfertilised, poor soil it can be fed in moderation.
Do not confuse with Kochia scoparia, which is also called Ragweed, and do not confuse with Ragwort which is toxic.
