ragweed

[rag-weed]

noun

1. any of the composite plants of the genus Ambrosia, the airborne pollen of which is the most prevalent cause of autumnal hay fever, as the common North American species, A. trifida great ragweed, or giant ragweed and A. artemisiifolia.

ragweed

/ ˈræɡˌwiːd /

noun

1. Also called: ambrosia. any plant of the chiefly North American genus Ambrosia , such as A. artemisiifolia ( common ragweed ): family Asteraceae (composites). Their green tassel-like flowers produce large amounts of pollen, which causes hay fever

Word History and Origins

Origin of ragweed¹

First recorded in 1650–60; rag ¹ + weed ¹, so called from its ragged appearance

Example Sentences

"The things that survive and probably diversify will of course be the rats and the ragweed and the cockroaches ... unless some really concerted work is done to ameliorate some of the most extreme forces."

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The most allergenic tree pollens are from birch, cypress, Japanese cedar, latex, grass, and ragweed.

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At the same time, pollen records show an increase in ragweed, a shrub known to proliferate in disturbed landscapes.

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Three tablets treat grass or ragweed allergies, and a fourth gained approval in 2017 for dust mite allergies.

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Important wetlands along the reservoir, including the Velyki and Mali Kuchuhury archipelago, will suffer from desiccation, and ecologists are concerned that invasive plants, such as ragweed and goldenrod, will colonize newly exposed sediment.

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Related Words

• antigen 
• dander 
• irritant 
• pollen