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Integrated Crop Management
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Hairy galinsoga

Hairy galinsoga - Galinsoga quadriradiata Cav.

Family: Asteraceae (Composite family)
Life cycle: Annual
Native status: Native to Mexico, introduced to the U.S.
Habitat: Gardens, vegetable production

General description: Erect to spreading, much-branched stems reaching heights of 2 ft. Leaves are triangular, deeply veined, with a toothed margin, lighter green on the lower side. The upper leaf surface and stems are very hairy. Numerous flower heads with five white, 3-4 toothed ray flowers surrounding numerous yellow disc flowers.

Key ID characteristics: Much-branched plant with hairy stems and leaves. White ray flowers with a gap between individual flowers.

Similar species: Smallflower galinsoga is very similar to hairy galinsoga, but the stems are smooth or sparsely hairy.

Miscellaneous: Hairy galinsoga is also known as quickweed because of its rapid flowering and seed maturation. Another name is shaggy soldier. It can have more than one generation in a growing season – spring germinating plants mature in early summer and drop seed that can germinate and produce a second crop of hairy galinsoga plants. This short life-cycle is ideally suited for many vegetable crops that also have short life-cycles

triangular, dentate leaves on heavily branched stems
Hairy galinsoga has pubescent, triangular-shaped leaves, plants have numerous braches forminga compact plant. Because it flowers so quickly it is uncommon to find non-flowering plants.
composite seedhead with yellow disc flowers and five white ray flowers
H. galinsoga produces a composite flower head with five white, notched ray flowers surrounding the yellow disc flowers.

 

Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.
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