Galinsoga (Galinsoga)
Galinsoga is commonly known as Gallant Soldiers. This is a genus in the family of Asteraceae with ca. 14 species worldwide (Canne, 1977). These herbaceous Galinsoga have two widespread yellow flower species across Europe, which is Galinsoga parviflora and Galinsoga quadraradiata. In United Kingdom, according to Haskell and Marks (1952) G. parviflora was introduced to Kew from South America at the end of the eighteenth century. Based on Stace (2010), G. parviflora was firstly recorded in 1860 whereas, G. quadriradiata in 1909. Both of these plant records were stated from South America.
G. parviflora is a lectotype species firstly described by Ruiz and Pavon in remembrance of Spanish physician Dr. D. Mariano Martinez de Galinsoga (Canne, 1977). Both G. parviflora and G. quadriradiata encountered synonymous confusion since there were firstly described. According to Stace (2010), G. parviflora is statued by Cav. and G. quadriradiata is by Ruiz and Pavon. G. quadriradiata has a frequently known synonym named G. ciliata (Raf.) S. F. Blake.
Within United Kingdom, G. parviflora or Gallant soldier is believed to be escaped from Kew and have wide distribution in metropolitan area. On the other hand, G. quadriradiata known as well as Shaggy soldier is perhaps introduced and naturalised with ships’ ballast because plant record for it is restricted to several spots (Haskells and Marks, 1952).
Herb