Shaggy Soldier - Galinsoga quadriradiata

Short to tall plant with an erect stem, leaves opposite, oval, pointed. Flowerheads small, rayed, white with a yellow disk, 3 to 5 mm, borne in branched clusters. Rays usually 3 toothed. Stem white hairy below the upper stem with long spreading hairs. Pappus scales awned.

Gallant Soldier (Galinsoga parviflora) is very similar and whilst generally less hairy it cannot be separated for certain without close examination of the scales on the seed receptacle. These are three-lobed in Gallant Solder and unlobed but with two small side teeth in Shaggy Soldier (Galinsoga quadriradiata).

Simple receptacular scales (may have 1 or 2 weak lateral lobes)

A general photo of the plant in its habitat. Evidence that you have examined the receptacle scales.

Gardens, disturbed and cultivated land, arable fields, urban areas.

May to October.

Annual.

British records are mainly from England and south Wales.

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the 1979 Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in 33 of the 617 tetrads.