Within the framework of the local health contract of the Mixed Syndicate of the Pays de la Bresse Bourguignonne, a collective uprooting workshop of Ambroisie à lemmoise – this invasive and highly allergenic plant – was organized Monday July 7 on a plot in the cemetery of Ormes. The first of the type on Burgundian Bresse. The objective: aware of the inhabitants of the dangers of the plant. It is Marine Haas, head of the Partes Training and Plant Health at Fredon Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, a professional agricultural union expert in the service of plant health, the environment and humans, which is in charge of this rapid training.

How to recognize the Ambroisie à lemoise leaves?

It was in front of a dozen people that the latter explained the characteristics to recognize this plant. It has very cut triangular leaves, green in color on both sides. Its central rib is white on both sides and its hairy stem becomes red on older planes. You can also see its floral ears. Note that the sagebrush leaf can reach 10 cm as two meters in height.

“We could tear it from morning to evening”

“We see all around us, we no longer dare to walk so there are so there are. Each year, it’s more and more, we could tear it away from morning to evening, it’s desperate, “react Edwige and Alain, from Simandre. On their field, Ambroisia appeared five years ago. Alain also finds praise in bloom during this collective uprooting. “I’m interested in plants. This workshop allowed me to identify the Ambroisie. When you rub shoulders with it, it is easier to retain. We also better understand the problems of farmers in the face of this plant, “said Alice Waring, Simandrine also.

Manual uprooting? Always with gloves

The small group will participate in this manual uprooting which must always be done with gloves in order to to avoid contact with the allergen which, by repeated dint of exhibition, can create allergies. A dust mask and covering clothes should be put on if the ambrosia is in bloom.

The site ambroisie-risque.info Also gives some advice: “The uprooting must preferably intervene as soon as possible. In case of pollen praise, favor an intervention at sunrise or at the end of the day. Once the plant is uprooted, let it dry on the ground in order to avoid involuntary dissemination. A pulled plant should never be composted to avoid the dispersion of seeds with the roots. When a wrestling action has been put in place, it must be ensured that there are no regrowths during the season, or the following years. Generally, only one intervention per year is not enough. Interested people can also find recommendations on mowing, chemical weeding, cleaning after intervention in an infested plot, grinding, plowing, etc. on the said site.

Elected officials and citizens can point out the presence of Ambroisie on the platform and the mobile application “Ambroisie report” by sending an email to contact@signalement-ambroisie.fr or by calling 09 72 37 68 88. The reports are automatically geolocated and listed on a national card. The communities concerned are then contacted to ensure that the rag is destroyed.