Ragweed is smaller than the giant ragweed but is much more prevalent. It is very adaptable although it prefers dry soils. It often invades newly opened soils such as roadsides or where ditches have been dug. The male flowers in the top of the plant produce the pollen which is responsible for so much respiratory distress in August and up to frost.
Photo by Dr. John Meade, weed scientist emeritus
Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension