Galinsoga quadriradiata

Galinsoga quadriradiata is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family which is known by several common names, including shaggy soldier,[2][3] Peruvian daisy, hairy galinsoga. Its native home is apparently central Mexico, although it has become naturalized in many other places (North and South America, Europe, Japan, Philippines, the northern India, Nepal, etc.).[4][5]

Galinsoga quadriradiata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Galinsoga
Species:
G. quadriradiata
Binomial name
Galinsoga quadriradiata
Ruiz & Pav., 1798
Synonyms[1]

Description

Galinsoga quadriradiata is an annual herb which varies in appearance. The main stem reaches anywhere from 10 to 60 centimeters (4-24 inches) in height and may branch or not. The petioled leaves are ovate and serrated are opposite branching, and covered coarse, hispid[6] hairs. The roots form a fibrous root system.[7]

The small flower heads are up to a centimeter wide (0.4 inches) but typically 2-3mm in diameter and have rounded center filled with many disc florets usually in a shade of bright yellow. There are typically five white ray florets widely spaced around the center, each an oval shape typically with three crenate teeth at the tip. Both the disk and ray florets are fertile[7] producing an achene with a large pappus.[4][8][5]

G. quadriradiata and its cousin Galinsoga parviflora are both edible and can be used as a pot herb or in salads although outside of their native range, they have not been widely adopted as a culinary item other than in China. G. parviflora is preferred as a salad green due to its non-hairy leaves. Care must be taken to not confuse them with the distantly related, and visually similar, Tridax procumbens, which is poisonous.

Macro photograph of Galinsoga quadriradiata flower showing ray and disk florets.

References
  1. The Plant List, Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pav.
  2. "Galinsoga quadriradiata". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  3. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. Flora of North America, Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pavón, 1798.
  5. Canne-Hilliker, Judith Marie. 1977. Rhodora 79(819): 353-364 in English, line drawing on page 354, around the world distribution map on page 359
  6. Rhoads, Block (5 September 2007). The Plants of Pennsylvania (2 ed.). ISBN 978-0-8122-4003-0.
  7. "Peruvian daisy". Illinois Wild Flowers. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  8. Flora of China, Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pavon, 1798. 粗毛牛膝菊 cu mao niu xi ju
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