Galinsoga parviflora
Scientific Name | Galinsoga parviflora Cav. |
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Common Names | English: Gallant soldier; German: Kleinblütiges Franzosenkraut, Kleinblütiges Knopfkraut; French: galinsoga à petites fleurs, galinsoge parviflore |
Description | Seed-producing summer annual weed, 10 to 80 cm (3.93 - 31.49 inch) high and forms a taproot. G. parviflora originates from Peru and spread from France to Germany. |
Gallery

Descriptions
Characteristic Features
Vigorous, up to 3 generations/year.
Young Plant
Spatulate, ovate acuminate, entire, flattened tip, lightly retracted in the middle.
Stems
Usually erect with several three-pronged ramifications, 10 - 80 cm (3.93 - 31.49 inch) tall.
Leaves
Opposite, ovate acuminate, light green, margin finely dentate, lower leaves petiolate, upper leaves nearly sessile.
Propagation Organs
Flowers
Terminal and axillary cyme.
Flower heads small, numerous, button-like with yellow tube-like disk florets and 5 white lingular margin florets.
Flowering Period
Early summer - autumn.
Fruit
Achenes sparsely appressed, pubescent or glabrous, cylindric to ovoid, with pappus attached. Central achenes ovate, black, covered with short white bristles pappus as long as the fruit, with 8-20 silvery and cut-margined scales. Marginal achenes smooth, 3-blunt-angled, without pappus.
Seeds
Gallant soldier is a shallow germinator (up to 2 cm; 0.78 inch).
Germination occurs from late spring - summer.
Viability of Seeds
>10 years.
Propagation
By seeds. 5,000-10,000 seeds/plant can be dispersed.
Occurrence
Habitat
Arable land, waste places, pavements in towns.
Soil
Nitrogen-rich, warm and loamy or sandy loam soils.
Agricultural Importance
Galinsoga parviflora grows best under moist conditions and therefore can become a serious problem under irrigation or in areas that receive year-round rainfall. It greatly reduces yield due to strong competition for water and nutrients and high abundance often occurs in corn fields. The high reproduction rate and longevity of the seeds causes long-term infestation. Resistant biotypes against herbicides containing Atrazine have been selected by intensive use of triazines.
Control
Useful non-chemical contribution to Integrated Weed Management
Mechanical control methods are very effective against seedlings.
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