Galinsoga parviflora

Galinsoga parviflora is a species of herbaceous plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. It has several common names including guasca (Colombia), pacpa yuyo, paco yuyo, and waskha (Peru), burrionera (Ecuador), albahaca silvestre and saetilla (Argentina), mielcilla (Costa Rica), piojito (Oaxaca, Mexico), galinsoga (New Zealand), gallant soldier, quickweed, and potato weed (United Kingdom, United States).

Description

An annual herb. It grows to 75 cm high and has a spread of 50 cm. The stem is erect and much branched. The stem is rather weak. The leaves are oval and opposite. The leaves have leaf stalks are the leaves are toothed around the edge. The flowers are small and daisy like. They occur in small clusters and have white rays and a yellow disk. The flowers are produced in the axils of the upper leaves.

Edible Uses

The leaves, stem, and flowering shoots can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb, added to soups and stews, or dried and ground into a powder for use as a flavouring in soups. The plant makes a bland but very acceptable salad on its own or mixed with other leaves. The fresh juice can be mixed with tomato or vegetable juices as a drink.

Traditional Uses

The leaves and the young stems can be eaten raw or cooked. They are used as a potherb or added to soups and stews. They are used as seasoning. They can be put into stir-fries. It is also dried and ground into a green powder and added to soups and stews especially with chicken. The fresh juice is drunk with other vegetable juices. The flowering shoots are eaten raw or cooked and in soups and stews.

Medicinal Uses

When rubbed onto the skin, the plant helps treat nettle stings. The juice can be applied to wounds to help coagulate the blood of fresh cuts.

Known Hazards

The plant is considered to be poisonous to goats.

Distribution

A tropical and subtropical plant. It will grow in most soils and under most conditions. It can tolerate drought and frost. In Papua New Guinea it grows from 900 to 2500 m altitude. It can grow in arid places but is best with medium to high rainfall. Seeds need a temperature between 10-35°C to germinate. They also need light to germinate. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,370-1,660 m above sea level. In Ecuador it grows between 1,500-3,000 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,500 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Albania, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azores, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America*, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kygyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Siberia, Sicily, Sikkim, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America*, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzkebistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies*, Winward Is., Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. Often they are self sown. The seeds germinate quickly and young plants grow rapidly.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring directly in situ. Germination usually takes place within a month.

Other Uses

No other uses are known for this plant.

Production

The plant grows rapidly. The leaves should be picked before plants start to form seeds.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is only a minor vegetable available in a few local markets. It is popular in some places.

Notes

There are about 14 Galinsoga species. The leaves are 11% protein. It can spread and become a difficult to remove weed.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Albahaca silvestre, Bribil, Chepsitaki, Chickweed, Churuman, Co tho, Djaringan lanang, Gallant soldier, Guascas, Hierba de piojito, Kinyoki, Knopkruid, Mabuyejazi, Mamboleo, Mngeeza, Mngereza, Mondreng, Munukepei, Msekeseke, Mwamuna aligone, Nawabijia, Ndevhedzamphobo, Ngereza, Ngwakhoza, Otikidyeri, Patelele, Peeplo, Picao-branco, Piojito, Quelite de piojito, Quickweed, Selegreng, Sutanuli, Tedar ao, Tedur-ow, Tsivandreninkely, Udase, Vi cuc, Yamuofie, Yellow weed, Yeshewa-arem, Youcong

References (73)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 229
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 484
• Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 1. Kew.
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 1060
• Bvenura, C. and Afolayan, A. J., 2017, Tackling food and nutrition insecurity using leafy wild vegetables: The nutritional compositions of some selected species.

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