Gomphrena portulacoides
Gomphrena portulacoides, commonly known as a medicinal herb within the Amaranthaceae family, is a plant valued for its traditional therapeutic properties. Often found in specific tropical regions, it is utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, offering significant ethnobotanical interest for its potential bioactive compounds and healing applications.
- Scientific name: Gomphrena portulacoides
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Caryophyllales and the family Amaranthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Gomphrena, specifically as the species Gomphrena portulacoides.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaranthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Gomphrena | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Gomphrena portulacoides, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as the portulacoid gomphrena, while in Spanish, it is known as gomphrena portulacoide. In Portuguese, the species is identified as gomphrena portulacoide.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across the South American continent. In Northern South America, its presence is documented within the borders of Venezuela. Its distribution extends into Western South America, where it is found in Colombia. Within Brazil, the species occupies a significant territory spanning the Northeast region. Finally, its reach continues through the Southeast and South regions of Brazil.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil South | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northeast | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Uruguay | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Gomphrena portulacoides, is primarily utilized in its medicinal applications through the use of its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which encompass the stems, leaves, and flowering heads, contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic properties. By harvesting the aerial parts, practitioners can access the plant's essential elements while avoiding the roots, making it a practical species for collection and processing.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |