annual ragweed

Here is Ambrosia artemisiifolia of the family asteraceae:

This was found, as may of the flowers here, on my walk from my car to and from class during medical school.  I took this picture on October 19, 2006.  This was among the first flowers that I photographed.  It is interesting that this plant carries the name ambrosia, though few would consider ragweed to be food to the gods.  I suppose this is one of those little ironies that the scientific method produces.