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Name:    Anita
Status:     educator
Age:     50s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Around 1999
Question:
Is ragweed the same as goldenrod? Where can I find good pictures of both so that I can distinguish what is growing in my yard?


Replies:
Golden rod and ragweed are distinct plants that both bloom about the same time -- Aug 15 to the first frost. Golden rod has bright yellow flowers. Ragweed doesn't even appear to have flowers, only pollen stalks. As a result, golden rod gets an undeserved reputation for causing allergies, while the real culprit is the inconspicuous ragweed plant.

I think any plant book at the library, or garden shop will have pictures of each. They are not hard to distinguish once you have seen their pictures.

Vince Calder

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