Ragweed, an invasive and highly allergenic plant, public enemy number one in the fields

"Here's a little memo to learn everything about ragweed," says Cécile Ahouandjinou, biodiversity officer at Fredon, an association that fights against plants harmful to human health. She hands a leaflet to Jérôme Griffe, a farmer from Seine-et-Marne, whose forage plot intended for producing hay has been affected by this invasive plant.

Originally from North America, ragweed was introduced to France through human activity. Its first appearance, in the 1860s, is thought to have occurred through red clover seeds ( Trifolium pratense ) imported from Pennsylvania, in the United States, and used as a fodder crop in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Three species are currently present in France: common ragweed, common ragweed, and smooth ragweed. All are listed as harmful plants in the French Public Health Code. Every summer, from July to October, they release highly allergenic pollen, causing rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma attacks that affect between one million and 3.5 million French people, with peak exposure between August and the end of September.

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