Shaggy Soldier Galinsoga quadriradiata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Galinsoga aristulata
- Galinsoga bicolorata
- Galinsoga caracasana
- Galinsoga ciliata
- Galinsoga quadriradiata
- Phonetic Spelling
- gal-in-SOH-guh kwad-re-rad-ee-AH-tuh
- Description
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Peruvian daisy or shaggy soldier is a summer annual weed in the Aster family that is native to South America and central Mexico and has naturalized in many parts of the world. It grows either erect or sprawling and varies in appearance depending on where it is growing. This weed is commonly found in agricultural fields, container-grown ornamentals, landscape planting beds, lawns, gardens, and other disturbed areas.
It generally has a 2-10 inch coarsely hairy stem and small flowers with 4-8 but generally 5 white rays surrounding the center yellow disc flowers. The ovate leaves are toothed and usually hairy.
This plant grows quickly in warm weather and can reseed aggressively, quickly forming colonies. It prefers full or partial sun, moist to dry conditions, and fertile loam or clay loam with high levels of nitrogen.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Weedy
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Galinsoga
- Species:
- quadriradiata
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to S. Tropical America
- Edibility:
- Leaves are eating is salads in some parts of the world.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes are formed by both the ray and disc florets. The seed has 5 or more narrow scales with fringed edges that are attached at the tip and an awn at the tip.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The 1/4 inch flowers usually have 5 white ray petals that surround the bright yellow disc flowers. They grow from the upper leaf axils and tips. The petals are notched in 3 parts. The base of each flower head has scale-like green oval bracts.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The green leaves are spare to densely hairy, up to 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. The base is either rounded or tapered and the tip is acute. The 3 veins are distinct and originate at the base. The margins are toothed. The lower leaves have stems and the upper leaves are stemless.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems are hairy and multi-branched
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Weedy
