Ragweed - allergies?

Question

For such a new-sense of a plant, does it even have a role in our culture, in nature ?

Answer 1

Ragweed is the perfect allergic plant because it

1)spreads rapidly and will thrive in poor soil and edges of fields
2) produces large amounts of pollen
3) the pollen is light and floats on the air easily
4) The pollen is highly allergenic due to its small size and the spikes on its surface ( see link)

I hope this helps

Regards,
David Schultz, M.D.
Richmond, Va

Answer 2

No, and neither does poison ivy. They were both part of the curse.