Appeared in large clumps in my backyard this past summer (2009); we'd done a lot of digging as the first phase of some landscaping work, and the area it appeared in was freshly dug earth. Galinsoga ciliata is a scientific synonym - that confused me for a bit...

Yes, it's not just the common names that get confusing... many species go by multiple scientific names as well. In the case of shaggy soldier, other synonyms are G. aristulata, G. bicolorata and G. caracasana. G. quadriradiata is the accepted name in "Flora of North America" (see efloras.org), which is our definitive reference.

I started out with tilling my lawn into a garden 10 years ago. The first couple of years I was getting your typical weeds like any gardener. Then in one year I had 30 cubic yards of dirt brought in and I got my hands on free manure,not sure from what animal. I know they do have donkeys and goats. So I am not sure of the two it came from.My garden was a field of green by the middle of summer and I couldn't keep up to this weed. It took everything over. Its the shaggy soldier(Galinsoga quadriradiata). I used round twice last fall and sprayed my whole garden. This year when they got 8-10 inches tall, one could not see any dirt it was so bad, I sparyed round up again,they all died. A few more came up about 4 inches and alot more are about 1/2 inch tall so I sprayd them again on 7-18-11. This is the only year I didn't till my garden. What can i do to get rid of this weed. Thank You, Jeff Mendenhall

These appeared across the street from me in town after the city had dug up the ground to work on the city sewer lines.