20 April 2016

Q is for Quick Weed

Welcome!
I am writing about herbs in the 2016 April AtoZ blogging challenge. Do catch up with the herbs so far, you may find some thing interesting, someone familiar. 

As expected Q was the biggest challenge but I finally I did find one herb that fit the bill... My herb for the day is Quick Weed or Galinsoga parviflora that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its an annual herb which is native to India, specifically the North East states. It also goes by the common names of Gallant Soldier and Potato weed. The botanical synonym is Tridax parviflora and one of its close 'cousins' Tridax procumbens grows profusely in my part of the world. At first glance the two plants have similar flowers and I have taken the liberty of posting a Tridax procumbens flower so you get an idea of what Quick Weed looks like.



That's it for Q. I have something really interesting in store tomorrow for R. 
Till then take care!
:)

6 comments:

My Era said...

Wow! on finding a herb with letter 'Q'.
The beauty of Asteraceae family is all flowers appear quite similar and give the illusion as if I've seen them before.

@theerailivedin from The Era I Lived In

Seena said...

Your theme sounds tough but you are doing so well. Great effort!
Seena
#AtoZChallenge - Q is for Quiet

Archana said...

@My Era- you hit the nail on the head!! Cheers :)

Archana said...

Thank you Seena.

Unknown said...

How can i tell the difference between procumbens and parviflora since they look so alike? Parviflora has culinary uses which I'm keen to explore but I need to be sure i'm using the correct one

Archana said...

Here are links to the two species. Hope it helps differentiate..

http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Quick%20Weed.html

http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Tridax%20Daisy.html

Thanks for the query.. :)