Ask A Scientist© Botany Archive

name         Anita
status       educator
age          50s

Question -   Is ragweed the same as goldenrod?   Where can I find
good pictures of both so that I can distinguish what is growing in my yard?
------------------------------------------------
http://www.goshen.edu/merrylea/sep99news/goldenrod.htm
http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/weeds/goldenrod.html
http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/weeds/ragweed.html

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.
=========================================================
Golden rod and ragweed are distinct plants that both bloom about the same
time -- Aug 15 to the first frost. Golden rod has bright yellow flowers.
Ragweed doesn't even appear to have flowers, only pollen stalks. As a
result, golden rod gets an undeserved reputation for causing allergies,
while the real culprit is the inconspicuous ragweed plant.

I think any plant book at the library, or garden shop will have pictures of
each. They are not hard to distinguish once you have seen their pictures.

Vince Calder
=========================================================