Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Other common names
buffaloweed
giant ragweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
6 to 12 feet
Riparian
Yes
A tall, sturdy, rough-hairy plant with elongated terminal clusters of nodding male flower heads.
Leaves are mostly opposite. Usually some blades are palmately shaped with 3 to 5 lobes.
Habitat
Fertile moist soils, waste places, and thickets. A serious pest in cultivated crops.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
0
High elevation
5200
Flower Characteristics
Male flowers are abundant in spike-like clusters on the tips of branches and stems. Female flowers are few, have no petals, and are located in the axils of the upper leaves.
Flower color
Green
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stem is thick, fleshy and black-lined. Leaves vary in shape, some are ovate and some are palmate with 3 to 5 lobes.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Palmate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Burs are conical with a woody hull and a beak.
Fruit type
Achene