RAGWEED (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) – INVASIVE AND ALLERGENIC PLANT

Invazivna i alergogena biljka ambrozija (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) potječe sa Sjevernoameričkog kontinenta. Ambrozija je danas raširena na cijelom Europskom kontinentu, pa tako i u Republici Hrvatskoj. Najveća ţarišta ambrozije u Hrvatskoj su gradovi Osijek, Varaţdin i Zagreb. Osim što stvara probleme kao korov na poljoprivrednim zemljištima, ambrozija je takoĎer i uzročnih teških alergijskih oboljenja. Simptomi alergijske reakcije na ambroziju uobičajeni su kao i kod alergijskih reakcija na pelud (kihanje, kašalj, curenje nosa, suzenje očiju...), uz mogućnost pojave alergijske astme. Alergije ne moţemo izliječiti, moţemo ih samo ublaţiti preventivnim mjerama, različitim lijekovima i terapijama. Zbog velikih problema koje uzrokuje iznimno je vaţno suzbijati ambroziju. To je moguće mehaničkim i/ili kemijskim mjerama, a često se na nivoima općina i gradova provode i mnoge akcije suzbijanja ove invazivne i alergogene biljke.Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is an invasive and allergenic plant that originated in the North American continent. It has now spread to the entire European continent, as well as Croatia. The biggest focuses of ragweed in Croatia are the cities of Osijek, Varaţdin and Zagreb. In addition to creating problems like weeds on farmlands, ragweed is also the cause of severe allergic diseases. The symptoms of allergic reactions caused by ragweed are the usual allergic reactions to any pollen (sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes ...), with a possibility of allergic asthma occurrence. Allergies cannot be cured; we can only relieve them by using preventive measures, various medications, and therapies. Due to problems caused by ragweed, it is extremely important to eradicate it. It can be done by taking certain mechanical and/or chemical measures. Ragweed eradication campaigns are also often conducted at the city and municipal levels to eradicate this invasive and allergenic plant