Practical
Plants

Galinsoga parviflora

Gallant Soldier

an annual member of the Galinsoga genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual
Height
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is considered to be poisonous to goats[6].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves, stem and flowering shoots - raw or cooked and eaten as a potherb, or added to soups and stews[7][8][1][3]. They can be dried and ground into a powder then used as a flavouring in soups etc[3]. A bland but very acceptable food[9][1], it makes a fine salad either on its own or mixed with other leaves[10]. The fresh juice can be mixed and drunk with tomato or vegetable juices[3].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

When rubbed onto the body, the plant is useful in treating nettle stings[5]. The juice of the plant is applied to treat wounds, It helps to coagulate the blood of fresh cuts and wounds[6].

Product or use
Stings
Product or use
Astringent

Environment

Range
S. America. Naturalized in S. Britain.
Habitat
Arable land, waste places, pavements in towns etc[10][2], often in partial shade[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in situ[4]. Germination usually takes place within a month.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils preferring well-drained conditions and full sun or partial shade.

References

  1. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4

    ↩1↩2

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  5. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  6. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2

  7. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩

  8. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  9. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2

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