Ragweed poses growing allergy and invasion threat to SA

Health professionals and experts in crop protection have expressed concern about the risks posed by the potential spread of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) across South Africa if effective control measures are not implemented soon.

In a paper published, crop protection expert Dr Charlie Reinhardt explained that while its natural habitat was North America, common ragweed had become one of the world’s most widespread weeds. Its high adaptability to a wide range of climates and soil types allowed common ragweed to proliferate in areas where human activities had disturbed the natural environment.