Shaggy soldier

 

Scientific Name: Galinsoga quadriradiata Ruiz & Pav.

Family: Asteraceae

 

MORPHOLOGY

 

Growth habit and size: Annual herbaceous plant with a fasciculate root system. Height ranges from 10 to 60 cm.

 

Stem: Erect stem, striated, branching from the base, pubescent with numerous whitish hairs mixed with patent glandular hairs, especially dense towards the top.

 

Leaves: Opposite, petiolate, rough leaves, pubescent on the margin and upper surface, with coarsely toothed margins. The lamina of the cauline leaves is broadly ovate-triangular, lanceolate, while those of the inflorescence all have an acuminate apex and three main veins.

 

Flowers: Flowers in sub-spherical capitula grouped in terminal clusters of 6-7 mm, with 15-30 yellow tubular flowers in the center, surrounded by 5-6 peripheral flowers with tridentate white ligules; carried by glandular peduncles. Blooms from July to October.

 

Fruits and seeds: The fruits are achenes with a slightly tapered pappus at the top; around each achene, there are several nearly transparent paleas.

 

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

 

An invasive allochthonous species introduced from South America and widespread in fertile anthropized areas: cultivated fields, gardens, uncultivated land, and roadsides. Present throughout Italy except in Sardinia. Grows between 0 and 800 m.

 

Photo: Kindly provided by Claudio Farinati