Shaggy Soldier (Galinsoga quadriradiata) is in the Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies family (Asteraceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 984 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in October.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to November, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Shaggy Soldier: observations by month (U.S.)
About Shaggy Soldier
Galinsoga quadriradiata is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family which is known by several common names, including shaggy soldier, Peruvian daisy, hairy galinsoga, and fringed quickweed. Its native home is apparently central Mexico, although it has become naturalized in many other places (North and South America, Europe, Japan, Philippines, the northern India, Nepal, etc.). Hairy galinsoga is considered a weed throughout its native and introduced range.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Shaggy Soldier by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 191 | July | Jun–Nov |
| North Carolina | 133 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Pennsylvania | 96 | October | Jun–Oct |
| New Jersey | 88 | October | May–Nov |
| Kentucky | 70 | July | May–Jul |
| Massachusetts | 63 | July | Jun–Oct |
| Vermont | 53 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Maryland | 34 | October | Jun–Nov |
| Virginia | 34 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Ohio | 33 | September | Jul–Nov |
| Wisconsin | 32 | October | Aug–Oct |
| West Virginia | 30 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Illinois | 25 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Tennessee | 16 | October | Jul–Oct |
| Minnesota | 14 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Indiana | 13 | October | Oct–Nov |
| Hawaii | 10 | January | Oct–Jan |
| Connecticut | 9 | July | Jul–Jul |
| New Hampshire | 7 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Michigan | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Arkansas | 5 | October | Sep–Nov |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Sunflowers, Daisies, Asters, and Allies)
black-eyed Susan
Common Yarrow
White Snakeroot
Chicory
Lawn daisy
Philadelphia fleabane
Pearly Everlasting
Blue Mistflower
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Shaggy Soldier?
Nationally, October has the most observations, with the main season from June to November.
Where is Shaggy Soldier most often seen?
The most observations come from New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.