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Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), is a very rare casual annual plant found growing on waste ground, tips and waysides in the UK, however, it has been identified as a species increasing in population. This native of North America was probably introduced into the UK via contaminated birdseed.

In Europe, Ragweed has become quite common as a weed in fields of sunflower crops. In the British Isles, most of the casual sites are in the south of England with records thinning northwards. It is not common in Wales and even less common in Scotland. It is only rarely seen in Ireland. It has become a serious problem in Russia, Croatia, France, Switzerland, some Nordic countries and Italy. The pollen can be transported up to 200 kilometres by the wind.

Ragweed Pollen is extremely allergenic, in fact it is believed to be the most allergenic of all pollens and with each plant able to produce in the region of a billion grains of pollen each season, it is hugely widespread and a problem that is near impossible to control once the plant is established. Ragweed pollen carries the major allergen Amb a I (antigen E) which is far more irritant than grass or birch pollen. Where established, its highly allergenic wind-borne pollen makes ragweed a prime cause of hay fever, with serious affects on some people who develop serious reactions and it can cause life-threatening respiratory problems.

Rising temperatures and increased carbon dioxide resulting from climatic changes are producing a bumper crop of ragweed pollen in N. America and in Europe. We do not need this plant to establish itself in the UK. It poses a SERIOUS health risk. If you find Ragweed growing in your area, notify the local council.


What you can do:
If you come across it, dig up the plant and burn it.
Alternatively, carry with you a contact herbicide and use this to destroy the plant. Return a couple of days later to make certain it is dead.
Do not purchase wild bird seed unless you know it is guaranteed free of contamination with Ragweed seeds as this is one of the main way the seed is spread to foreign lands.

Warning: If you are a hay fever sufferer, have any form of asthma, do not come into contact with this plant, if you see it, give it a wide berth and report its location to the authorities.