Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Invasive in Germany
This photo shows common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, one of the worst fall allergens. This photo was taken in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This plant is native to North America, and has become an invasive species in Europe.
The plant is wind-pollinated, which explains both its tendency to be a bad allergen (as its pollen is light, produced in large quantities, and distributed by the wind) and its lack of showy flowers. This plant is closely related to showy flowers such as black-eyed susans, coneflowers, and daisies, and chamomile, but this is not immediately evident from looking at the flowers at a distance.
This image is featured in our article on Chamomile Tea and Sleep.
