Gomphrena Weed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• gomphrena-weed
• soft khakiweed
• Bachelor's Button
• Batchelor's Button
• Globe Amaranth
• Prostrate Globe Amaranth
• gomphrena weed
• prostrate globe-amaranth

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xeraea celosioides

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Gomphrena.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In the Atlantic, it can be found growing within the Macaronesian archipelago, specifically on the island of Madeira. Its presence extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it inhabits various territories. Specifically, the species is documented in the countries of Benin, Burkina, and Ghana. Furthermore, its range reaches as far as Guinea, marking a broad footprint across the West African landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gomphrena celosioides is characterized by a broad adaptive capacity across diverse environmental settings and a significant vertical distribution. It thrives in a variety of habitats, ranging from highly disturbed anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to specialized natural ecosystems such as the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), and the coastal Restinga formations. This adaptability allows the species to occupy niches ranging from lowland coastal regions to higher montane environments, as evidenced by its wide elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1830 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1830 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Gomphrena celosioides are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that underpins its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage within the Amaranthaceae family. A fundamental aspect of its cytogenetic profile is its diploid chromosome number, which is documented as 26. This stable chromosomal count plays a crucial role in the plant's genetic inheritance patterns, influencing the stability of its genome during meiosis and the subsequent transmission of hereditary traits across generations. The precise arrangement and number of these chromosomes provide the structural basis for its genetic diversity, affecting various physiological and morphological expressions that define the species' resilience and adaptability in its natural habitat.

Chromosome number :

26

Life history

The life history of Gomphrena celosioides is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. Functioning as a therophyte, the species survives the unfavorable periods as seeds, which allows it to rapidly colonize disturbed or open habitats once conditions become favorable for germination. This therophytic life form, categorized under both life form classifications provided, indicates that the plant maintains its vegetative structure above the soil surface during its active growth phase but relies on seed dormancy to persist through seasonal shifts, ensuring the continuation of its lineage through a rapid, single-season developmental strategy.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Gomphrena celosioides is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber, liana, or vine. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and maintains a terrestrial habit rather than an epiphytic one. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively small, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.2 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gomphrena celosioides is characterized by a highly efficient carbon fixation mechanism, utilizing the C4 photosynthetic pathway to optimize resource use and thrive in challenging environments. Morphologically, the plant's vegetative structures exhibit specific dimensional constraints, with leaves measuring a minimum of 1.5 cm in length and reaching a maximum length of 5 cm. The leaf width is similarly specialized, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm, reflecting a compact leaf architecture that supports its metabolic processes.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gomphrena celosioides is characterized by the production of specialized fruit structures and minute seeds. The plant produces a fruit categorized as a utricle, which is notably indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. These fruits are quite small, reaching a maximum length of approximately 0.17 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are exceptionally tiny, with a maximum seed length of 1.5 mm. The seed mass is highly consistent, exhibiting a mean weight of 0.00294 g, with values ranging from a minimum of 0.00288 g to a maximum of 0.003 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit length max:

0.17 cm

Fruit type :

utricle

Seed length max:

1.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.003 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00294 g

Seed mass min:

0.00288 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gomphrena celosioides has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Chemicals

Gomphrena celosioides has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aurantiamide, Aurantiamide acetate.

Aurantiamide

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Aurantiamide acetate

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Activities

Gomphrena celosioides has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Diuretic, Natriuretic.

Analgesic

1. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Antioxidant

1. Immunological investigations

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Natriuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Gomphrena celosioides has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include analgesic, kidney stones, liver dysfunction, urinary tract stones.

Analgesic

1. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Kidney stones

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Liver dysfunction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Urinary tract stones

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Gomphrena celosioides has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include air dried, ethanolic extract, ground, soxhlet extracted with n-hexane.

Air dried

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Ethanolic extract

1. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP

Ground

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Soxhlet extracted with n-hexane

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR