Skeletonleaf Ragweed

Skeletonleaf Bursage, Skeletonleaf Ragweed

Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt.

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)

▲ ▼ new shoots emerging from creeping roots in spring

▲ ▼ young plants

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ creeping root with shoots

▲ ▼ flowering plants

Ambrosia tomentosa Nutt., Skeletonleaf Ragweed: (Bayer Code: FRSTO; US Code AMTO3)

Creeping perennial with deep, creeping roots
Grows 4-24 inches tall on dry, infertile, sandy soils
Has very much divided (fernlike) leaves with overall triangular shape; leaves more finely-divided than common ragweed
Leaf upper surface is gray-green to whitish, due to hairs, and underside is gray-green to green; no glands on leaves
Another species, weakleaf bur ragweed has similar leaves, but weakleaf bur ragweed leaves do have tiny glands on leaves and a stronger odor
Leaves have medicinal odor if bruised
Flowers are on fat, ragweed-like, spike inflorescences, with small hooked, bur-like fruit at base of spike at maturity

(Updated January 19, 2019)