Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Ragweed
Images Copyright 2001 David L. Green, Unauthorized reproduction prohibited
Family: Asteraceae
No pollinators ever observed in many years of observation
"Huh! I thought ragweed was wind pollinated? Why would it be in this database?"
Actually ragweed IS wind pollinated. Wind pollens tend to be light, fluffy, not sticky, and of low nutritional value. But there is some overlap, as ragweed pollen frequently shows up in lab analysis of pollens in honey. It's a bit of a mystery how it gets there, since I've never seen bees work ragweed. However, I've seen them work pine, oak, and grass flowers which are also normally wind pollinated, so it's possible it happens and I just haven't seen it. Ragweed pollen is also produced in amazing quantity and tends to be everywhere during the pollen shed season. Perhaps bees are picking up this pollen whenever they sit on a leaf. Bees are electrostatically charged and small particles will adhere to them easily.
The presence of small quantities of ragweed pollen in honey may be the reason that some folks find allergy relief from honey.
Building
allergy resistance with ragweed allergens in the form of injections
More
about ragweed allergies
Allergies: False
blame placed on goldenrod: goldenrod pollen cannot be airborne!