Galinsoga parviflora (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Galinsoga parviflora Cav.

Family: Compositae

Vernacular names

• Yellow weed, gallant soldier (En)
• Galinsoga à petites fleurs (Fr)
• Indonesia: bribil, kuningan (Java), balakecut, galinggang, galangsi (West Java)
• Philippines: galinsoga.

Distribution

Native to South America, but now it is a cosmopolitan weed.

Uses

Steamed young tops can be eaten as a vegetable. It is also a good fodder.

Observations

• Annual, erect, branched, slender herb, 20-120 cm tall.
• Leaves opposite; petiole 2-15 mm long; leaf-blade ovate or ovate-oblong, 1-6.5 cm × 0.5-4.5 cm with three transparent main nerves.

Occurring in many localities, usually as a weed in fertile soils under moist conditions from 300-2500 m altitude. Locally very abundant and because of its quick growth it can become a troublesome weed.

Selected sources

7, 66, 85.