vs Coastal Ragweed

Chroomonas reflexa compared with Ambrosia hispida

Key Differences

• is Not Evaluated while Coastal Ragweed is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Coastal Ragweed
Kingdom	Chromista (Chromista)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Cryptophyta	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Cryptophyceae (Cryptophyceae)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Pyrenomonadales (Pyrenomonadales)	Asterales (Daisies & Sunflowers)
Family	Chroomonadaceae	Asteraceae (Daisy Family)
Genus	Chroomonas	Ambrosia
Species	Chroomonas reflexa	Ambrosia hispida

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Coastal Ragweed

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Coastal Ragweed
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Coastal Ragweed

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Found in Cuba.

Chroomonas reflexa is a species of cryptophyte alga in the family Chroomonadaceae, documented from freshwater environments in Europe. The specific epithet reflexa, meaning bent back or reflexed, likely refers to a characteristic curvature or reflex in the cell shape, flagella, or their attachment relative to the cell body. Cell shape and the arrangement of the ventral groove and flagellar insertion point are important taxonomic characters within the genus Chroomonas, and subtle morphological differences distinguish species that are otherwise similar in size and pigmentation. Chroomonas species are biflagellate, olive-green to brown or blue-green in color, and occur singly in the plankton and periphyton of freshwater systems. They are important components of microbial food webs, converting solar energy into organic biomass that is transferred to heterotrophic consumers. Cryptophytes are among the most nutritionally rich microalgae, containing elevated levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including EPA and DHA, making them highly valuable as food for zooplankton. Chroomonas reflexa has been recorded from European freshwater habitats. It has not been assessed by the IUCN.

Coastal Ragweed

Coastal ragweed (Ambrosia hispida) is a perennial herb in the family Asteraceae, native to the coastal dunes, sandy beaches, and cays of Cuba, the Bahamas, and the wider Caribbean region. It grows in pioneer beach and dune vegetation, often forming spreading colonies that help stabilise loose coastal sands. Like other members of the genus Ambrosia, it bears inconspicuous greenish-white flowers arranged in racemes; male flower heads produce wind-dispersed pollen that can trigger allergic rhinitis in sensitive individuals. The deeply lobed, hispid leaves are adapted to reflect intense solar radiation and tolerate salt spray. Coastal ragweed plays an ecological role in early dune succession, binding sand and enabling other plant species to establish. The genus is widespread globally, with several Ambrosia species considered noxious weeds in agricultural settings, though Ambrosia hispida is restricted to its native Caribbean coastal range. The IUCN assesses it as Least Concern, reflecting adequate population size across its Caribbean coastal distribution. Pressure from coastal development and tourism infrastructure poses a localised threat to dune communities it inhabits.