Small-flowered quickweed, Potato weed
Galinsoga parviflora
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
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.
There are about 14 Galinsoga species. The leaves are 11% protein. It can spread and become a difficult to remove weed.
Where it is found
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.
Countries/locations it is found in
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 (country/location of origin), 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, 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 (country/location of origin), 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 (country/location of origin), Winward Is., Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
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.
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is only a minor vegetable available in a few local markets. It is popular in some places.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable, stems, flower shoots
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Often they are self sown. The seeds germinate quickly and young plants grow rapidly.
The plant grows rapidly. The leaves should be picked before plants start to form seeds.
Its other names
Local names
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
Synonyms
Adventina parviflora Raf.; Galinsoga quinqueradiata R. & P.; Stemmatella sodiroi Hieron.; Wiborgia acmella Roth; Wiborgia parviflora (Cav.) Kunth;