Ambrosia ambrosioides
Encyclopedia
Ambrosia ambrosioides, also known as canyon ragweed or chicura is a ragweed
found in the deserts of northern Mexico
and ranging into the southern half of Arizona
.
Growing as a shrub
from 1-2 meters high, its elongate, coarsely-toothed leaves range from 4-18 cm long and 1.5-4 cm wide. It is monoecious, with both terminal and axillary raceme
s consisting of staminate heads occurring above their pistillate counterparts. Flowering occurs mainly in February through April. The fruits are 10-15 mm burs covered with hooked spines.
Somewhat similar in appearance to Ambrosia ilicifolia
, A. ilicifolia has sessile leaves with a reticulate pattern of veins, and the marginal teeth developed into short spines.
This ragweed can be found in sandy washes and other disturbed areas such as roadsides, and is sometimes seen growing in rock crevices.
Although widespread in the Mexican and Arizonan parts of the Sonoran Desert
, it seems not to occur in California
; Munz
reported it near San Diego, California
, but no specimens have been vouchered. Its northern limit is governed by winter frosts.
The Seri people smoked its dried leaves, and used the roots to make medicinal teas and pigments.
Ragweed
Ragweeds are flowering plants in the genus Ambrosia in the sunflower family Asteraceae. Common names include bitterweeds and bloodweeds....
found in the deserts of northern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and ranging into the southern half of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
.
Growing as a shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
from 1-2 meters high, its elongate, coarsely-toothed leaves range from 4-18 cm long and 1.5-4 cm wide. It is monoecious, with both terminal and axillary raceme
Raceme
A raceme is a type of inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate and bears pedicellate flowers — flowers having short floral stalks called pedicels — along the axis. In botany, axis means a shoot, in this case one bearing the flowers. In a raceme, the oldest flowers are borne...
s consisting of staminate heads occurring above their pistillate counterparts. Flowering occurs mainly in February through April. The fruits are 10-15 mm burs covered with hooked spines.
Somewhat similar in appearance to Ambrosia ilicifolia
Ambrosia ilicifolia
Ambrosia ilicifolia is a species of ragweed known by the common names Hollyleaf Burr Ragweed and Hollyleaf Bursage.It is native to the deserts and mountains of western Arizona and adjacent southeastern California and Baja California, where it grows in dry washes, scrub, and other local habitat....
, A. ilicifolia has sessile leaves with a reticulate pattern of veins, and the marginal teeth developed into short spines.
This ragweed can be found in sandy washes and other disturbed areas such as roadsides, and is sometimes seen growing in rock crevices.
Although widespread in the Mexican and Arizonan parts of the Sonoran Desert
Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert is a North American desert which straddles part of the United States-Mexico border and covers large parts of the U.S. states of Arizona and California and the northwest Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. It is one of the largest and hottest...
, it seems not to occur in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
; Munz
Philip A. Munz
Philip A. Munz, botanist, taxonomist and educator , of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, was Professor of Botany at Pomona College, serving as Dean for three years....
reported it near San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, but no specimens have been vouchered. Its northern limit is governed by winter frosts.
The Seri people smoked its dried leaves, and used the roots to make medicinal teas and pigments.