Beachbur (Ambrosia chamissonis, Man. Bot. San Francisco: 188 (1894))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: Greene

Bibliography: Man. Bot. San Francisco: 188 (1894)

Year: 1894

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ambrosia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Alaska to Mexico (Baja California), C. & S. Chile

Description

Beachbur, scientifically known as Ambrosia chamissonis, is a resilient plant species belonging to the family Asteraceae. This versatile plant is noted for its remarkable adaptability to coastal environments, thriving along shorelines from Alaska to Mexico, including the Baja California region. Its growth is not limited to North America; Ambrosia chamissonis also prospers in parts of Central and Southern Chile, showcasing its widespread resilience.

First documented in 1894 by the botanist Greene in his Manual of the Botany of San Francisco, Beachbur has continued to draw the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Its ability to withstand the harsh, saline conditions typical of beach and coastal regions is a testament to its ecological robustness.

Beachbur plays a crucial role in its native ecosystems, providing stability to sandy coastal soils and contributing to the local biodiversity. Its presence helps prevent erosion, making it an essential component of the coastal flora. The adaptability and ecological significance of Ambrosia chamissonis make it a fascinating subject for ongoing botanical and ecological studies.

Common Names

Eng: beach-bur, beachbur, silver bur ragweed, silver burr ragweed, silver burrweed
Fra: herbe à poux de chamisso
En: Beachbur, Silver bur ragweed, Beach-bur, Silver burr ragweed, Silver burrweed
Ar: دمسيسة شامسوانية
Fr: Herbe à poux de Chamisso

Synonyms

• Franseria chamissonis var. cuneifolia ((Nutt.) Torr. & A.Gray)
• Franseria chamissonis f. bipinnatisecta ((Less.) Calder & Roy L.Taylor)
• Franseria cuneifolia (Nutt.)
• Franseria chamissonis subsp. bipinnatisecta ((Less.) Wiggins & Stockw.)
• Gaertneria chamissonis (Kuntze)
• Franseria chamissonis var. bipinnatisecta (Less.)
• Franseria chamissonis var. viscida (Eastw.)
• Gaertneria chamissonis var. viscida (A.Heller)
• Franseria chamissonis var. malvifolia (Less.)
• Franseria chamissonis (Less.)
• Franseria chamissonis subsp. typica (Wiggins & Stockw.)
• Ambrosia chamissonis f. bipinnatisecta ((Less.) W.W.Payne)
• Ambrosia chamissonis var. bipinnatisecta ((Less.) J.T.Howell)
• Ambrosia chamissonis var. cuneifolia ((Nutt.) W.W.Payne)
• Franseria villosa (Rydb.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Washington (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 9, 2022 by Sherrie Davies (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Ole Olesen (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2019 by Kenneth Robertson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2022 by Paz Paz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2022 by Menace (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 25, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 25, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 25, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 17, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 5, 2021 by av br y fac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2012 by EOL − Chris Brown (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Apr 19, 2009 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2009 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 4, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 4, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Oct 5, 2021 by av br y fac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2004 by EOL − Dr. Daniel L. Geiger (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 14, 2020 by Hayden churchill (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 1998 by EOL − Charles Webber (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Aug 4, 2014 by EOL − JK Johnson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 8, 2015 by EOL − Don Loarie (cc-by)

Taken Feb 24, 2015 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3110718)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:11045-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ambrosia chamissonis (Less.) Greene)

Specifications

Growth