Wallleaf Ambrosia photo of the plant, what looks, struggle against ambrosia, fines, when and where ragweed blooms

Ambrosia is an annual weed growing and prosperous in warm weather in a suitable territory. The plant is opposed to drought. Two types of ambrosia, ordinary wormwood ranges are widespread (Ambrosia Artemisiifolia) and giant ragweed (Ambrosia Trifida).

Wallwood ambrosia grows to a meter in height, and giant ragweed reaches 3.5 m. Vertical stems with seeds grow up up to 3 m. Weeds live up abandoned agricultural sections, roadsides along roads and urban outskirts. Ambrosia is a problem in the fields where agricultural crops are grown.

How to determine that the plant – This is a ragweed, not a similar look. Now we will find out.

Description and features

Leaves

Determine the Ambrosia by the leaves. This plant forms a basal outlet of leaves in the early stages of growth. Ordinary ragweed has leaves similar to fern, in giant specimens distinctive, large, with three or five petals. Giant leaves from 20 to 30 cm long. The upper leaves of the plant have the shape of a spear and in length up to 15 cm. Lower leaves ovoid or rhomboid.

The leaves are located opposite at the base of the plant, but further up the stems are located alternately. Leaf plates (1-16 cm in length and 1-7 cm in width) are deeply separated (cirround-dissected) and look like a fern. They grow on sheet stems (petioles) about 1-3 cm (sometimes up to 10 cm) length. The upper leaves are usually much smaller in size and less separated than the lower. All leaves are covered with hairs (pubescent), especially on their lower side, and these hairs are long or short and soft.

Flowers

Pay attention to the shape of the flowers. Ordinary ragweed has thin, from 3 to 4 cm, cylindrical floral ears, which consist of tiny green flowers. Flower spikes of giant ragweed green, 7 to 15 cm long. They are formed mainly on the upper stems. Hard floral ears are similar to bottles brushes. Each stem has densely growing small green flowers.

Separate male and female flower heads are formed on different parts of the same plant (that is, this type of oneday). Male (stamens) flower heads surpass female (pestle) flower heads in numbers and hang from extensive bellshaped flower clusters (up to 20 cm long) at the tips of the stems.

Male flower heads have a small hemispherical shape and cream, yellowish or pale green. Women’s flower heads are less noticeable and consist of one tiny flower.

The base of the flower heads (inflorescence wrapper) has the shape of a saucer of 5-7 small spines similar to bristles (each 3-5 mm long). Women’s flower heads grow vertically and are kept one in the forks (sinuses) of the upper leaves (that is, above men’s flower heads).

Flowering occurs mainly in summer, in the fall and at the beginning of winter.

Stem

Ambrosia before flowering

Strongly branched, straight (growing up) stems are rounded in cross section (cylindrical) and have a reddish or brownish-green color. The stems of different types of ragweed vary from almost smooth to roughly hairy.

Seeds

The fetus is a small brown or black-handed seed (2-5 mm long) in the shape of a sink. Seeds harden as they grow older and have a pointed end (1-2 mm long) and a ring of four or eight small stupid spines (each with a length of less than 1 mm).

When ragweed blooms

Ambrosia plants ripen in the middle of summer (middle-columns of July), when pollen forms in small flowers. On average, allergies suffer from ragweed to mid-end of September.

Allergy – The main problem of public healthcare. Hay fever (stagnation, asthma, runny nose, itchy eyes) is caused, inter alia, flowering of ambrosia. Therefore, it is important to know when ragweed blooms so that there is time to prepare for this difficult period for health, especially children and older people.

The flowering season usually reaches a peak in late summer and early autumn, but these plants often produce pollen and until the first frosts. One plant of ambrosia produces up to a billion pollen grains in one season, and this pollen is tolerated by the wind over long distances.

Climate change affects the season of flowering of ambrosia in several ways. Due to warm spring temperatures, some plants begin to produce pollen earlier, while warm autumn extends the vegetation period of ragweed.

Higher temperatures and increased concentrations of carbon dioxide allow ragweed allergenic pollen in large quantities. This means that many places experience longer allergies and get more pollen than it was several years ago. Hot and wet weather creates ideal conditions for the start of the season of flowering ambrosia. If the weeds have not yet dissolved the color at this time, do not relax.

Separate plants in favorable places are already blooming, and Ambrose pollen is transferred over long distances from other countries, and not just regional.

Crossreaction with wormwood

Pollen wormwood aggravates the symptoms of allergies to the flowering of ambrosia, since both plants belong to the Astra family, and a cross reaction is possible. Typically, a high amount of pollen of wormwood occurs in midAugust, but sometimes it happens at the beginning of this month.

In the same way, the pollen of Ambrosia has a cross reaction with other plants of the same family, such as chamomile, arnik, margarita, chrysanthemum and sunflower.

Where you can meet

In Eurasia, this is, first of all, the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territory. For so long ago, doctors advised allergists to leave the city where there are no weeds, for example, to the mountains or closer to the sea, off the coast of which the sea wind cleans the air of dust and pollen. Northern resorts were also popular, where it was cold, and Ambrosia did not bloom.

Climate changes and agricultural management methods change the picture almost annually. Ambrosion is already growing near the sea, it blooms, and no wind saves even near Yalta or Alushta from allergens.

Ambrosia map in Eurasia

Strong winds bring pollen to the mountainous areas, Alaska, including from the Ambrosian pollen brought from the south.

Guessing where this season will not be halfle line is difficult. Local plants also «Help» in allergicization of sensitive organisms, so it is useful to know what weeds grow in a particular region of the country.

There is still no ragweed behind the polar circle and in Antarctica, African and Asian deserts, but it is unlikely that the mass departure of allergies in these regions is possible and not only for financial reasons.

Sreflap Ambrosia does not like mixed forests. If you find an extensive mixed forest on the map and preferably in the highlands, then this region may save from the manifestations of seasonal allergies to Ambrosia, but to give a guarantee that from Asia or the steppes of Ukraine, a strong wind will not bring billions of particles of the Plant pollen, no one can give.

Immune system and ragweed

The work of the immune system is to find foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria, and get rid of them. The immune response protects against diseases. People with allergies have an immune system that reacts when they come into contact with allergens. If, with allergies to the pollen of ambrosia, a person inhales it from the air, then the symptoms of rhinitis (halflenosis) appear.

Seventeen species of ambrosia and a large family of plants spread harmful pollen with the wind. Когда различные виды пыльцы попадают в организм, симптомы аллергизации обостряются.

Who allergies to ragweed

75% of people who have allergies to pollen also annoyed ambrosion. If an allergy to ambrosia, the symptoms are aggravated when you eat:

• bananas;
• melon;
• cucumbers;
• nectarine;
• peach;
• watermelon;
• potato
• zucchini;
• sunflower seeds.

This is called oral allergy syndrome, which occurs because the immune system confuses the pollen of ambrosia with foods. Symptoms include: itching in the mouth, throat, tongue or face.

Symptoms of allergies

• sneezing;
• stagnation or runny nose;
• itchy eyes, nose and throat;
• itching or swollen eyes
• mucus in the throat and bronchi.

If severe allergies to ambrosia, symptoms arise similar to asthma, chronic sinusitis, headaches and stagnant phenomena that I interfere with sleep.

These unpleasant symptoms significantly affect the quality of life. In some cases, it is difficult to conduct daily activities. Sometimes other related problems appear, such as insomnia, irritability, difficulties with concentration, aggravation of asthma or infectious diseases.

What is the harm from ragweed

The effect of ambrosia on human health is the most important harm from weed. In regions infected with ambrosia, the prevalence of allergies varies from 2 to 50% of the total number of inhabitants.

Ambrosia also affects animal health. A reaction in the form of dermatitis to a quarantine plant occurs in horses, dogs and cats. Livestock, which is grazed next to Ambrosia, eats juicy stems, and they, as you know, accumulate nitrates. Dairy rocks after eating ragweed give milk, which has a bitter taste and unpleasant odor.

Ambrosia – This is an agricultural weed that infects arable cultures with a high planting density, while interrow crops are most exposed to weeds. The sunflower suffers most of all, its close connection with ambrosia limits the use of herbicides. Other susceptible cultures:

• corn;
• potato;
• soya beans;
• peas,
• sugar beet;
• tobacco;
• pumpkin;
• sorghum;
• rape;
• grape;
• Garden and field vegetables.

G loss is high, the numbers depend on the level of infection, but the losses sometimes exceed 50% of the crop.

Ambrosia negatively affects the biodiversity. The available data indicate that Ambrosia uses the degradation of the environment and suppresses the growth of other plants in ecosystems created by man. Often, measures aimed at combating Ambrosia threaten more rare and disappearing weeds more than ragweed itself.

What are the methods of struggle

We want to immediately note that at the moment in Eurasia the fight against Ambrosia is underway very weakly. In the Krasnodar Territory, from year to year, pollen is becoming more and more, respectively, the number of allergies is rapidly increasing.

Governments prevent further introduction and spread of weeds, reduce the plant population or completely eradicate ambrosia, where it is possible due to the effects of ragweed on agriculture and human health. These measures include;

• Research financing;
• creation of legal tools for the use of various mechanical and chemical measures;
• conducting campaigns to inform the public;
• Weed worshiping monitoring programs.

Description of measures to combat Ambrosia:

Biological

Growing competing vegetation, control over crop rotation.

Border control

Checking the imported materials, especially agricultural products, contaminated imports are returned to the country of origin.

Chemical measures

The use of herbicides.

Cleaning of equipment and vehicles

The vehicle is washed after work in a zone polluted by ambrosia.

Checking the contaminated seed and soil

Ambrosia seeds are separated by special equipment from other seeds. Infected parties of agricultural products are destroyed. Polluted soil is covered with a deep layer of nonpolluted land and marked.
Physical measures
Spinning, loosening, haircut, uprooting plants, weeding, mulching, burning, plowing.

How Ambrosia got into Eurasia

To say exactly who made the first weed seeds impossible. Maybe it was an infected wheat, which was imported from America to the USSR in the mid-end of the 20th century. It is likely that the seeds of ambrosia were individually brought in order to grow another miraculous exotic plant somewhere in Europe, and already with the winds the seeds fell into the territory of Eurasia and neighboring countries.

Who and what pays a fine for Ambrosia

In each region of Eurasia, local authorities establish the amount of a fine for individuals and legal entities that allow the growth of quarantine plants on their territory. In Moscow, about 300 thousand rubles will be made from a legal entity after drawing up a protocol. In the regions of the country, officials pay from 1 to 28 thousand rubles for unanimous ragweed.

These measures are insufficient, because officials are not able to circumvent all the areas and identify negligent owners. Only educational measures and the awareness of the population about allergic plants will help in the fight against the epidemic of the 21st century.

Ambrosia in medicine

Ambrosia brings not only harm, but also has many healing properties. In folk medicine, weed is used as:

• binder;
• antiseptic;
• gag;
• laying and antipyretic.

Indian healers appreciated the plant, used local and internally. Herbalists prepared ragweed agents to reduce nausea, menstrual discomfort and fever. Indigenous Americans use the root of ambrosia, make laxative tea out of it.

Ambrosia’s chopped juice is applied to insect bites or places burned with poisonous plants to reassure irritation.

Ambrose pollen is used in homeopathic therapy.

If there are health problems, consult a doctor, do not selfmedicate. Identification of plants is complicated even for biologists. Many plants look the same. If you are not an expert, do not use ambrosia for medical purposes.

The Indians used ambrosia for:

• ceremonies;
• one of the ingredients in the medicine made of green corn;
• Pumps to prevent blood poisoning;
• decoctions from the leaves and the upper part of the plant against diarrhea;
• heart medicine from infused roots;
• treatment of edema infusion from leaves.

Ambrosia as a drink of gods (legend)

And we will move off a little from the topic…Ambrosia – This is the food of the ancient Greek gods who made them immortal. According to legend, the gods of Olympus ate Ambrosia, which the pigeons brought them. The etymology of the Greek word means immortality.

The ancient Greeks believed that the result of the use of ragweed = longevity or immortality. Homer’s Ambrosia had food or nectar for a drink of the gods, but historians did not initially distinguish these two terms.

Ambrosia was intended only for divine creatures. According to mythology, Hercules accepted Ambrosia from Athena after he got to Olympus. When Tantal tried to steal Ambrosia from the gods to convey it to people, he was punished for pride. The one who consumed ambrosia, in the veins, did not flow blood, but a substance called Ihor.

Historians did not find out what exactly the Nectar of Ambrosia consisted of. Researchers associate a drink with honey, uterine milk, various plants, fruits and vegetables, wine and olive oil, and not weeds from the New World.

All these ingredients are in Greece, and their use is associated with longevity. Olive oil and honey contribute to good health and health thanks to antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Yogurt with honey, raisins and fruits increases energy and adds years of life. Red wine, seafood and a Greek salad with olive oil – These are not only tasty, but also healthy products for the body and mind.