Great RagweedRoots: Taproot.
Stems: Erect, freely branched, hairy.
Leaves: All leaves subsequent to the first pair of true leaves are 3-lobed, or less often 5-lobed. Lobes arise from the same point (palmately lobed), and each lobe is lanceolate in shape with toothed margins. Leaves are opposite, hairy, occur on long petioles and are large (4-8 inches wide by 6 inches long).
Flowers: Occur in long slender racemes at the ends of branches (male) or in the leaf axils of the upper leaves (female). Individual flowers are small and greenish.
Fruit: A large (6-12 mm long) black crown-shaped achene.
Identifying Characteristics: Large, 3-lobed leaves and crown-shaped achene. The first true unlobed leaves of giant ragweed may lead to the confusion of this weed with Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium). However, the leaves of cocklebur are alternate.
