Galinsoga

/ɡælinˈsoʊɡə/ noun

Definition

A plant genus in the daisy family, native to tropical America, with small white and yellow flowers, commonly found as a weed.

Etymology

Named after Mariano Martínez de Galinsoga, an 18th-century Spanish botanist. The scientific name honors this botanist's contributions to plant classification.

Kelly Says

Galinsoga is now found on every continent except Antarctica—this 'weed' hitchhiked on trade ships and is now one of the world's most successful invasive plants, showing how globalization has totally reshuffled Earth's plant communities.

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