Status: Native
Synonyms:
Franseria acanthicarpa (Hooker) Coville
Gaertneria acanthicarpa (Hooker) Britton
Ambrosia acanthicarpa is a spiny ragweed that can either appear erect or
prostrate and very spreading. The local morphology of the plant in different areas
may be due to grazing by wildlife when the plant is young. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, but the burs are very painful to the touch. The staminate heads with multiple florets and purple-striped phyllaries are above and nodding, pistillate heads with one floret underneath. The leaves are lobed.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Ambrosia acanthicarpa, photo Russ Kleinman, Tyrone, McKinney Road, Oct. 3, 2007
Ambrosia acanthicarpa, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Hwy 15 between Pinos Altos and Little Cherry Creek Ranch Road, Aug. 26, 2009
Ambrosia acanthicarpa, closeup of staminate spike, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Hwy 15 between Pinos Altos and Little Cherry Creek Ranch Road, Aug. 26, 2009
Ambrosia acanthicarpa, 1x macro of staminate spike, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Hwy 15 between Pinos Altos and Little Cherry Creek Ranch Road, Aug. 26, 2009
Ambrosia acanthicarpa, 1x macro of pistillate flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Leggett Canyon, Aug. 27, 2009
Back to the Index