Common Name: Gallant Soldier

General Information

Galinsoga parviflora is a slender, annual plant growing from 20 - 70cm tall.
The edible leaves are sometimes gathered from the wild and consumed locally, the plant also has medicinal applications.
A prolific seeder, often producing several thousand per plant, it can complete a life cycle (germination to shedding of seeds) in as little as 50 days[]. Viable seeds may be produced when the plant is only a few cm high. These seeds may germinate readily after falling to the ground. The plants grow best in moist conditions and can become very numerous under irrigation or in year-round rainfall conditions in the tropics[]

Known Hazards

The plant is considered to be poisonous to goats[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern and western S. America from Chile and Argentina to Venezuela; Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico to New Mexico; Caribbean

Habitat

Arable land, waste places, pavements in towns etc[, ], often in partial shade[]. Disturbed soils, fields, orchards, gardens, lawns, roadsides from sea level to 2300 metres in N. America[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Native to tropical America, the plant has spread widely and can be found growing from the temperate through to the tropical zones[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils preferring well-drained conditions and full sun or partial shade.

Edible Uses

The leaves, stem and flowering shoots - raw or cooked and eaten as a potherb, or added to soups and stews[, , , ]. The flower heads and buds are usually removed[].
The leaves can be dried and ground into a powder then used as a flavouring in soups etc[]. In South America the dried leaves (known as 'guascas') are an essential flavouring for certain dishes[]. A bland but very acceptable food[, ], it makes a fine salad either on its own or mixed with other leaves[].

The fresh juice can be mixed and drunk with tomato or vegetable juices[].

Medicinal

When rubbed onto the body, the plant is useful in treating nettle stings and other skin inflammations[, ]. The juice of the plant is applied to treat wounds, It helps to coagulate the blood of fresh cuts and wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

When growing well, the plant is seen as an indicator of high soil fertility[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ[]. Germination can take place at temperatures between 10° 35°c; it usually takes place within a month. Light, as well as alternating temperatures, may favour germination[].

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