SMALLFLOWER GALINSOGA, Galinsoga parviflora Cav. 1, entire plant; 2, flower head; 3, ray flower. Annual, reproducing by seeds. Stem 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) tall, erect or spreading, much branched, slender, hairy. Leaves opposite, oval to lance-shaped, pointed at tip, thin, with toothed margin. Flower heads small, numerous, scattered at ends of branches. Ray flowers very small, white, 4 to 5 in number, surrounding the small yellow disk flowers. Seed about 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) long, wedge-shaped, 4-sided, dark brown to black, with a fringe of tiny scales at one end. Found in gardens, dooryards, waste places, and lowland fields, especially in damp areas with rich soil. Hairy galinsoga, Galinsoga ciliata (Raf.) Blake, is similar to the above and is found in similar places, often more commonly. It has a more pubescent stem than smallflower galinsoga, and has well developed pappus scales on the ray flowers. Ray flowers of smallflower galinsoga have either very small or no pappus scales.