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Shaggy Soldier Galinsoga quadriradiata

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

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:
Tags:
#summer annual#white flowers#high maintenance#aggressive#fields#annual weed#annual#weed#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#summer annual#white flowers#high maintenance#aggressive#fields#annual weed#annual#weed#meadow
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Green stems are hairy and multi-branched
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Weedy