Galinsoga quadriradiata (shaggy soldier)

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Galinsoga spp.

galinsogas

Asteraceae

Andean South America, Central America, and Mexico

Attracts Pollinators

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

Overview

Galinsoga spp. is a genus of fast-growing annual herbs in the family Asteraceae, native to the montane regions of Central and South America and now naturalized as agricultural and garden weeds across temperate and tropical zones worldwide. The two most widespread species, G. parviflora and G. quadriradiata, grow 10-60 cm (4-24 in) tall on branching, brittle stems. Leaves are opposite, ovate, 1-7 cm (0.4-2.8 in) long, with toothed margins and three main veins; G. quadriradiata carries dense spreading hairs while G. parviflora is nearly smooth. The flower heads are 3-6 mm (0.1-0.2 in) across, each with four or five small white ray florets, usually three-toothed at the tip, surrounding a yellow disc. A single plant produces several thousand seeds and can complete its life cycle in as little as seven weeks, allowing several generations in one growing season. Seeds germinate without a dormancy period and spread readily in disturbed soil, which is why the genus ranks among troublesome row-crop weeds. Plants are frost-sensitive and die with the first hard freeze.

Native Range

Galinsoga spp. originates in the Andes and adjacent highlands of Mexico, Central America, and South America. From there both common species have spread to nearly every continent as introduced weeds of cultivated and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Galinsoga spp. has no ornamental use and is treated as a weed in gardens and croplands. The young leaves and stems are edible and are used as a cooked green and seasoning in parts of South America and Africa, where the plant is known as guascas.

How to Identify

Look for opposite, three-veined ovate leaves with toothed margins on brittle branching stems. The tiny flower heads, 3-6 mm (0.1-0.2 in) wide, carry four or five white, three-toothed ray florets around a yellow center. G. quadriradiata is noticeably hairy, while G. parviflora is nearly hairless and has smaller flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 2'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering begins a few weeks after germination and continues from late spring until the first autumn frost, June to October in temperate regions. Because generations overlap, flowers and ripe seed appear on the same plant at once. Each head is self-fertile and sets seed without cross-pollination.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with yellow center

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Galinsoga spp. grows in full sun to part shade on moist, fertile, disturbed soil and needs no cultivation to establish. It germinates across a wide temperature range and tolerates most soil types, though growth is fastest on nitrogen-rich ground. The shallow root system pulls easily, but plants left to flower set viable seed within days, so removal before flowering is the only way to limit spread. Plants wilt quickly in drought yet recover after rain. As a frost-sensitive annual, the genus completes its cycle in a single season and overwinters only as seed in the soil.

Pruning

These annuals are not pruned. Plants are pulled or hoed before seed set to prevent self-seeding, and the shallow roots lift easily from moist ground. Cut plants can re-root if left on damp soil.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic