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Ragweed: Fall's Public Enemy #1 Written by Dr. Joel Gallagher, Allergy and Asthma Center of NC, Cone Health Medical Group Common ragweed — Ambrosia artemisiifolia — might sound divine, but anyone with allergies knows it’s anything but heavenly. There are also other species of ragweed, all of which are allergenic and belong to the genus Ambrosia . These tough plants grow across nearly every corner of the U.S., thriving especially in the Eastern and Midwestern states. Image 1. "Ragweed" by Austin Nature in the City is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. The name Ambrosia comes from the Greek word for “food of the gods” or “drink of immortality.” Why Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, chose such an exalted name remains a mystery. The species name, however, is easier to explain: ragweed’s leaves resemble those of Artemisia absinthium , better known as wormwood — the plant used to make the legendary, and once hallucinogenic, drink absinthe. Ragweed is an annua...

  Elm Pollen: The Encore Adventure Written by Anne Ambs, Allergy and Asthma Center of NC, Cone Health Medical Group Elm pollen, often associated with spring, makes a surprising return later in the year. While our native elm species release their pollen during late winter and early spring, one introduced elm species, Chinese elm  ( Ulmus parvifolia ) , pollinates in late summer or fall in North Carolina.  Chinese elm, also known as lacebark elm, is a significant source of autumn pollen. Figure 1. Mature Chinese/lacebark elm tree. "Ulmus parvifolia" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Belonging to the Ulmaceae family, elm trees thrive across temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are commonly found in forests, along riverbanks, and in valleys, where they contribute to the ecosystem by offering shelter and food for wildlife. Mature Chinese elms can reach heights of up to 50 feet and spread to 35 feet wide. Thanks to their adaptability, elms ar...