Collect the male flowers before they release pollen, in late summer. Ragweed collection tips: Pick the tender leaves at the top of plants in spring and early summer. Ambrosia is derived from ἄμβροτος (ambrotos), Greek for immortal, or not-dying so while no one knows why Linnaeus gave the mellifluous name to North America’s ragweeds, when it was first described scientifically, could it have been because he was aware that it was valued as a medicinal plant by Native American nations (which it was)? But has anyone chewed a branch of raw rosemary? Or thyme? Bitter! And intensely aromatic. Above: The washed leaves of common and giant ragweeds.Īmbrosia, the botanical name for the ragweed genus, may refer to the food or drink of the gods in antiquity: “This seems like a strange name for a group of non-showy plants with bitter-tasting foliage,” says Illinois Wildflowers’ website. ![]() Could they have been used for food, or medicine? I find it tempting to hypothesize-without any supporting evidence-that the male flower, so accessible and abundant, might have been the targeted part of the plant for food, while the seeds may be all that is left as a clue to ragweed’s possible significance in diets long-forgotten. These seeds have been identified at archaeological sites, and speculation abounds. The pollen is captured by the small, nigh-invisible female flowers at the base of each male, where the seed forms when mature it is viciously spiked at one end. Minus petals or sepals, the yellow pollen in these male flowers is clasped tightly in downcast clusters, waiting to dry, when it is released by a whisper of wind. Magnified on a laptop screen their structure is organized and exquisite, alien and efficient. When I began photographing giant ragweed I realized that its inconspicuous flowers are mesmerizingly beautiful. Above: The male flowers of giant ragweed. My investigation progressed in a practical way, with small, exploratory nibbles. ![]() Kelly Kindscher includes a brief chapter on ragweed in his Edible Wild Plants of the Prairies, writing that “the plant was even cultivated” by prehistoric Native American nations. There was talk of ragweed seed caches in archaeological sites. Moerman) to the roots of a different species of ragweed being valued by Native Americans as a food. There was a single reference (in Native American Food Plants, by Daniel E. In my search for clues to ragweed’s possible use as food, there was not a lot to go on. Above: A ragweed and mugwort patch in Brooklyn. At home-in books and on the Web-I began to explore. Later in the summer, as the intriguing flower spikes, formed, I became even more interested. Could it be edible? Above: Giant ragweed in late summer, Crushed, its leaves smelled herbally appealing. I did not know what it was, so I was without prejudice, not associating these grand plants with its notorious pollen. When I first encountered giant ragweed ( Ambrosia trifida) one early summer, it was lush and tropical. Icon - Check Mark A check mark for checkbox buttons. ![]() Icon - Twitter Twitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Pinterest Pinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - Instagram Instagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Facebook Facebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Email Used to indicate an emai action. Icon - Search Used to indicate a search action. ![]() Icon - Zoom In Used to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - Zoom Out Used to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Location Pin Used to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Dropdown Arrow Used to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Close Used to indicate a close action. Icon - Down Chevron Used to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Message The icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - External Link An icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - Arrow Right An icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Ragweed causes fall allergies but it is is also an appealing edible Icon - Arrow Left An icon we use to indicate a rightwards action.
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