August 18, 2025

They’re just now beginning to bloom. Ragweed, yes a weed, but also responsible for the bothersome problem that many people suffer from – allergies in autumn. Depending on which source of information you choose, there are 40, 45, or 50 species of Ragweed native to North America. Four of those species are native to Virginia.

One of those species, above, is Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia). Which is prolific here on the mountain.

Another species native to Virginia is this one, Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida). And like Common Ragweed, seems to be everywhere up here.

The pollen of Ragweed is very light, and vast quantities are easily distributed by the wind, often spreading sneezes. Goldenrod (Solidago) is a plant that is also just beginning to bloom as I type this. Its pollen is heavy, and is spread by insect pollinators, since it’s too heavy to be spread by breezes.

Think about it, Ragweed and Goldenrod start blooming at about the same time. Ragweed pollen spreads with the breezes while Goldenrod pollen only spreads by insects carrying it here and there pollinating other Goldenrod flowers. One starts sneezing, and sneezing more. Those Ragweed flowers are green, and are hardly noticed at all, blending right in with all the other greens of summer. But Goldenrod flowers with their beautiful bright yellow flowers are noticed right away as the sneezing continues. And there you have why Goldenrod gets the blame, which it doesn’t deserve.

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