Globe Amaranth

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bachelor's-button
• globe-amaranth
• Globe amaranth
• common globe amaranth

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amaranthoides globosa
• Gomphrena tumida
• Gomphrena eriopoda
• Gomphrena globosa var. carnea
• Gomphrena rubra
• Xeraea globosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the Amaranthaceae family, specifically falling under the genus Gomphrena.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several continents. In Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing in countries such as Bulgaria and Romania. Its range also extends to the Macaronesian islands, specifically within Cape Verde. Moving toward West Tropical Africa, the species is documented in the nation of Benin. Additionally, its presence is noted in the landlocked country of Burkina Faso.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gomphrena globoza is characterized by a broad environmental adaptability, allowing it to thrive across diverse landscapes ranging from anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to specific natural biomes including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campinarana, and Cerrado (lato sensu). This species exhibits a significant altitudinal plasticity, occupying an expansive elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 2600 m AMSL. This wide distribution across varying elevations and distinct ecological niches suggests a high tolerance for different soil types and climatic conditions found within these South American ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campinarana, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Genetics

The genetics of Gomphrena globoza are characterized by specific chromosomal configurations and varying levels of genomic complexity. The plant exhibits a notable range in its chromosome number, with documented counts of 32, 40, and 48, reflecting potential evolutionary divergence or polyploid tendencies within different populations. Despite this variation in total chromosome sets, the species is fundamentally described at a diploid ploidy level of 2, suggesting that while chromosomal numbers may fluctuate, the basic genomic structure typically maintains a standard diploid state.

Chromosome number :

32, 40 48

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Gomphrena globoosa is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. Functionally, it is categorized as a therophyte, a life form defined by plants that survive the unfavorable seasons as ephemeral, dormant seeds rather than through specialized underground structures or woody stems. This rapid developmental strategy allows the species to quickly colonize available niches, utilizing its status as a therophyte to ensure survival through the production of large quantities of seeds that await optimal conditions for the subsequent generation.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Gomphrena globosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically existing as an independent organism that does not function as a parasite. This terrestrial species, which is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, maintains an erect shoot orientation and is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. The plant reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 1 m, displaying a robust structure consistent with its herbaceous nature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gomphrena globoza is characterized by a highly efficient carbon fixation mechanism, as it utilizes the C4 photosynthetic pathway, allowing it to thrive in high-temperature and high-light environments. Its vegetative morphology is defined by leaves that typically range in length from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, with a corresponding width that varies between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 6 cm. Unlike many desert-adapted species, this plant does not exhibit succulence, relying instead on its specialized metabolic pathway to manage gas exchange and water-use efficiency.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gomphrena globoza is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically commences in July and concludes in August. During this phase, the plant produces distinctive pink flowers. The resulting fruit is classified as a utricle, with dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 0.15 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents. The seeds contained within are quite small, featuring a minimum length of 1.5 mm and a maximum length of 2 mm, with a consistent seed mass of 0.00505 g. Dispersal of the seeds is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing the wind to transport the seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length min:

0.15 cm

Fruit type :

utricle

Seed length max:

2 mm

Seed length min:

1.5 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.00505 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gomphrena globosa 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 flower.

Flower

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Gomphrena globosa has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BaP, Flavonoids, GA3, Gomphrenin I, Isogomphrenin I.

BaP

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports

GA3

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Gomphrenin I

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Isogomphrenin I

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

NAA

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Saponins

1. Scientific reports

Tannins

1. Scientific reports

Terpenoid

1. Scientific reports

benzoic acid

1. Scientific reports

Conditions

Gomphrena globosa has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hypertension, jaundice, kidney.

Hypertension

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Jaundice

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Kidney

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Preparations

Gomphrena globosa has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include infusions, methanolic extract.

Infusions

1. Food chemistry

Methanolic extract

1. Scientific reports