Gardening Forums

Not one I recognise... could it be related to Cannabis?

Try :

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

I believe it's an american weed?

Dear Rosie

This does indeed appear to be ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). This plant comes from North America but is causing some serious problems in Europe, especially around Hungary. It likes to grow on waste ground along roadsides. Its pollen is highly allergenic and it makes hay-fever sufferers particularly miserable because it flowers in August and September extending the hay fever season by a couple of months.

How did it get into your flower border? Probably through your bird-feeder. Sunflower seeds are often contaminated with ragweed and there are many reports of ragweed growing near bird feeders.

I am interested in this topic as part of my work with the Food and Environment Research Agency. Do you think you could send me some of your photos, especially any with the bird feeder and the plant clearly visible. If anyone else has seen ragweed in their garden associated with bird seed then I would be interested to hear about it.

Hi FERA,

The weeds were indeed growing right below my bird feeder. Thats what the wooden pole is in the pic. I only have the pics posted here, If it grows again i will take some more pics for you with feeder included.

Where should I send them?

Thanks
RP

Dear Rosie

Sorry to be slow replying but these pages seem to get updated rather infrequently and I am afraid I had rather given up on the site. But if you (and anyone less reading this) has any more examples of Ambrosia and bird seed, please send them to

Joe Crocker
Fera
Sand Hutton
York
YO41 1LZ
joe.crocker@fera.gsi.gov.uk