Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

coastal ragweed, bay geranium

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Ambrosia hispida

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

1 ft tall by spreading ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow (inconspicuous)

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Groundcover for sunny, dry sites. Spreads by rooting at the nodes.

Considerations:

Will do poorly if over watered. Many people are allergic to its wind-borne pollen.

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Cuttings from established plants.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

-|----|----|-- <-----------------------------> ----|

Not wet but not extremely dry ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Circum-neutral to calcareous.

Suitable to Grow In:

8B,9A,9B,10A

Ecology

Wildlife:

Wind pollinated plant so does not attract pollinators.

Native Habitats:

Coastal uplands

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Leaves are aromatic.