How can you tell the difference between ragweed and goldenrod?

Their stems and leaves are dramatically different – Golden Rod has a single stem with some branches at the top, whereas Ragweed has many branches from the bottom of the plant all the way to the top. Goldenrod has single leaves and Ragweed has lobed or dissected leaves.

Does ragweed and goldenrod grow together?

Ragweed (also known as Ambrosia) often grows in the same areas as goldenrod, blooming at roughly the same times, too.

What does ragweed look like when it flowers?

Ragweed is an upright growing plant that has leaves that look almost fern-like, feathery and green. You will also notice that ragweed leaves look hairy. The flowers on the plant are also useful for ragweed identification. The flowers on ragweed are yellow and long, like streamers.

How to tell the difference between goldenrod and ragweed?

Here’s an article from 2015 on how to tell the difference between goldenrod and ragweed, and why ragweed is the big contributor to allergy season. (In short, goldenrod’s pollen is too large to fall far from the plant, but ragweed’s tiny, light pollen travels widely.) Still, goldenrod continues to get a bad rap.

What does ragweed look like in a field?

Ragweed is out there now though. The sinus headaches I’ve been waking up with every morning for the last couple of weeks prove it! Goldenrod looks like this: Goldenrod in a field. This is not a local goldenrod but does grow in our subdivision.

Why are ragweed and goldenrod blamed for allergies?

Due to his efforts, extensive process development was conducted during World War II to commercialize goldenrod as a source of rubber. The onset of fall brings with it the onslaught of pollen allergies. While the main culprit is ragweed, goldenrod is incorrectly blamed for everyone’s nasal affliction.

How many species of goldenrod are there in the US?

There are over 75 different species of goldenrod and 20 species of ragweed native to the United States. Goldenrod gets the blame for your itchy eyes and runny nose, but the culprit is actually ragweed.