Galinsoga parviflora is an herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It has several common names including guasca (Colombia), mielcilla (Costa Rica), galinsoga (New Zealand), gallant soldier, quickweed, and potato weed (United Kingdom, United States). Galinsoga parviflora was brought from Peru to Kew Gardens in 1796, and later escaped to the wild in Great Britain and Ireland, being temporarily known as the 'Kew Weed'. The plant is named after the Spanish botanist Ignacio Mariano Martinez de Galinsoga. The species name 'parviflora' translates to 'having small flowers'. In Britain, its name Galinsoga is sometimes popularly rendered as "gallant soldiers", and then sometimes altered to "soldiers of the Queen". In Malawi, where the plant is naturalised, it is known as 'Mwamuna aligone' which translates to 'My husband is sleeping'. In Colombia it is used as a spice herb in the soup Ajiaco. It can also be used as an ingredient in leaf salads, although its subtle flavour, reminiscent of artichoke, mostly develops after being cooked. Galinsoga parviflora grows to a height of 75 cm (30 inches). It is a branched herb with opposite stalked leaves, toothed at the margins. The flowers are in small heads. The 3ń8 white ray-florets are about 1 mm (0.4 inches) long and 3-lobed. The central disc florets are yellow and tubular.[9][10] Distribution The species is native to South America, however it is widely naturalised in other countries. There are a few records of G. parviflora and G. ciliata in Northern Ireland. It has been naturalized elsewhere, including North America and Australasia