ragweeds
Hay fever culprits
Ragweeds are plants of the genus *Ambrosia*, notorious for producing vast quantities of airborne pollen that triggers hay fever and seasonal allergies.
The name comes from the ragged appearance of the leaves.
Ragweed season peaks in late summer and fall across North America: My allergies are terrible—ragweed must be blooming.
Allergic rhinitis from pollen
- sneezingSudden forceful nasal expulsion
- itchy eyesIrritated, scratchy vision organs
- runny noseNasal discharge symptom
- watery eyesExcess moisture in vision
congestion · antihistamines · allergist · rhinitis · wheezing · asthma · hypersensitivity · immunotherapy
Airborne spore concentration metric
- airborneTraveling through air
- wind-pollinatedFertilized via airborne pollen
- dispersalSpreading in many directions
- microscopicToo small for eyes
spores · anthers · pollen forecast · pollen grains · late summer · peak season · atmospheric · inhalation
Allergenic weed genus
- herbaceousHaving soft green stems
- annualsSingle-season plants
- weedsUnwanted wild plants
- wildflowersUncultivated flowering plants
seedlings · leaves · stems · roots · groundsel · vegetation · flora · botany
Descend under gravity
- SeptemberYear's ninth month
- OctoberYear's tenth month
- harvest seasonPeriod for collecting crops
- goldenrodYellow wildflower, often blamed
frost · seasonal · late bloom · seed dispersal · end of season
To distribute widely
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
- non-nativeNot indigenous here
- outcompeteBeat in rivalry
proliferation · infestation · eradication · herbicide · vacant lots · roadsides · management · monoculture
hay fever
Allergic rhinitis from pollen
- sneezingSudden forceful nasal expulsion
- itchy eyesIrritated, scratchy vision organs
- runny noseNasal discharge symptom
watery eyes · congestion · antihistamines · allergist · rhinitis · wheezing · asthma · hypersensitivity · immunotherapy · desensitization
pollen count
Airborne spore concentration metric
- airborneTraveling through air
- wind-pollinatedFertilized via airborne pollen
- dispersalSpreading in many directions
microscopic · spores · anthers · pollen forecast · pollen grains · late summer · peak season · atmospheric · inhalation
Ambrosia
Allergenic weed genus
- herbaceousHaving soft green stems
- annualsSingle-season plants
- weedsUnwanted wild plants
wildflowers · seedlings · leaves · stems · roots · groundsel · vegetation · flora · botany
fall
Descend under gravity
- SeptemberYear's ninth month
- OctoberYear's tenth month
- harvest seasonPeriod for collecting crops
goldenrod · frost · seasonal · late bloom · seed dispersal · end of season
spread
To distribute widely
- aggressiveHostile and confrontational
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
- non-nativeNot indigenous here
outcompete · proliferation · infestation · eradication · herbicide · vacant lots · roadsides · management · monoculture · overgrowth
ragweedsbegonias
Tropical flowering houseplants
orchids · roses · tulips · hydrangeas · petunias
- ragweed allergyReaction to autumn pollen
- ragweed pollenAirborne plant reproductive particles