Gomphrena globosa

Globe amaranth
"Purple Globe Amaranth"
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Gomphrena
Species: G. globosa
Binomial name
Gomphrena globosa
L.

Gomphrena globosa, commonly known as globe amaranth or bachelor button, is an annual plant that grows up to 24 inches in height. The true species has magenta bracts, and cultivars have colors such as purple, red, white, pink, and lilac.

Its native range is in Brazil, Panama and Guatemala.

Uses

In Hawaii, it is commonly used in long-lasting leis since it retains its shape and color after drying. In Neptal, the flower is used to make a garland for Brother's Day. The garland is put around the brother's neck by their sister for protection. In Trinidad, the flowers are boiled to make a tea which is used for baby gripe, oliguria, cough and diabetes; cooling.[1]

Flower of G. globosa

Names in other languages

See also

References

  1. Mendes, John (1986). Cote ce Cote la: Trinidad & Tobago Dictionary. Arima, Trinidad. p. 7.
  2. Globe amaranth, bozu, lehua moa loa, lehua pepa (Amaranthaceae)

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, March 09, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.