Attention allergic allergy plant Ambrosia spreads strong

Allergy plant Ambrosia is increasingly becoming a problem in Germany
Ambrosia is increasingly causing severe allergic complaints in Germany as well. Due to climate change, the cabbage imported from North America now finds suitable growing conditions in Germany as well. Researchers of the Brunswick Julius Kühn Institute call for nationwide uniform notification and control duties for mugwort ragweed.

Ambrosia can cause severe allergic reactions
According to the scientists, the plants would have to be ripped out in time for flowering. Because the pollen of ambrosia can cause violent allergic reactions even in the smallest amounts, such as hay fever, conjunctivitis, allergic asthma, eczema or hives. According to studies, the concentration of Ambrosia pollen in this country will quadruple by 2015.

Strongest allergenic plant: the ambrosia. (Image: stadelpeter - Fotolia)

On June 27, Ambrosia Day will be held to raise awareness of the growing problem. Because each one can support the fight against the highly allergenic plant, in which he reports occurrences of the plant and pull it out if necessary.

The reason for the spread of also called ragweed or mugwort ragweed is due to climate change. Ambrosia is still relatively low in this country, but in warmer countries like Hungary, Italy or France it has been suffering from allergies for a long time. The long flowering time from July to October is particularly unfavorable.

Nationwide regulation to combat ambrosia required
"Countries like Switzerland or Hungary have already responded and oblige landowners to prevent the plant from blossoming, for example, by tearing it out in a timely manner," reports the president of the Federal Environment Agency, Maria Krautzberger, to the news agency "dpa". In Germany, too, such a legal regulation makes sense, since the pollen did not stop at the border. "Garden owners should take action against the plant, for example by reporting the plant to the authorities or by picking the ambrosia itself," says Krautsberger.

Ambrosia is most prevalent in Bavaria, Hesse, Brandenburg and Baden-Württemberg. Some cities have already responded to the problem and are systematically fighting the plant. Every year so-called ambrosia scouts are working in Berlin to eliminate the herb. Baden-Württemberg has announced that it will present an overall concept for combating ragweed by the summer.

In this country, the plant does not cause any problems for farmers as arable weeds, as is the case in Hungary, for example. In Germany, Ambrosia can only be found in home gardens, on fallow land, on field margins, on cut flower fields and on construction sites, informs the Julius Kühn Institute. (Ag)