1. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (syn.: A. elatior L.) (N-Am.) – A common but usually ephemeral alien. Apparently first recorded in 1883 in Sint-Agatha-Berchem (Brussel) and Gilly. Most early records are associated with importation of American cereals (near mills). There are surprisingly few records of Ambrosia artemisiifolia as a wool alien in the Vesdre valley (only between 1917 and 1939). Much increasing in the past decades and now always introduced with grain (incl. birdseed and oilseeds; see also Krajšek & Novak 2013, Steil & al. 2015). Ambrosia artemisiifolia is usually found by road verges, in port areas (most often near mills and granaries), on dumps, in gardens (from spilt fodder), on waste land, etc.
Assessing the degree of naturalisation of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in Belgium is not easy, especially because it is a common and widely introduced alien. It was often claimed as locally naturalised, especially in the Kempen but opinions were often contradictory (compare for instance De Langhe & al. 1988 and van Rompaey & Delvosalle 1978). In most cases there is an obvious link with the vector of introduction and, at least so far, Ambrosia artemisiifolia hardly spreads beyond its original location of introduction (see also Loos & al. 2008, Klotz 2009). It often persists for some time but usually does not become naturalised yet in Belgium (see also Verloove 2002). However, at scattered locations Ambrosia artemisiifolia recently seems to naturalise. It survives in large number on an abandoned unloading quay by the Albertkanaal at Merksem (near a former Vamo Mills plant) and by a canal in Izegem. Naturalised populations were recently also reported from the surroundings of Visé in the valley of river Meuse (Martin & Lambinon 2008). Ambrosia artemisiifolia is a thermophilous species and seeds only mature in hot, sun-exposed sites. In suitable habitats it probably will become naturalised in Belgium in a near future.
The spread of Ambrosia artemisiifolia in parts of Europe is of major concern since it produces high amounts of allergenic pollen. Therefore, its naturalisation in Belgium is closely monitored. Additional information on its presence in Belgium and elsewhere in western Europe is available at: http://www.q-bank.eu/Plants/Factsheets/Ambrosia%20artemisiifolia%20NL.pdf and http://ias.biodiversity.be/species/show/34.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia is a rather polymorphic species. Several infraspecific taxa have been described but they are nowadays usually included in a broadly circumscribed Ambrosia artemisiifolia (see for instance Strother 2006). The usual introduction in Europe seems to be var. elatior (L.) Descourt. (syn.: Ambrosia elatior L.). Some authors tend to elevate it to specific rank (Loos & al. 2008).
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