Globe Amaranth
Gomphrena globosa
Family: Amaranthaceae
What it is like
An upright bushy annual herb. Plants grow 30-60 cm high and spread to 30 cm across. Plants can lay over and root along the nodes. The leaves are oval and 15 cm long. They grow in pairs along the stem. They are covered with dense white hairs when young. The flower heads are oval and 3.5 cm long. They can be pink, red, purple or white flower bracts.
There are about 90 Gomphrena species mostly in South America.
Where it is found
It grows throughout the tropics. They can be damaged by frost. They need a well drained soil and full sunlight. The soil needs to be moderately fertile. Seed need a temperature above 15-18°C. In Papua New Guinea is occurs from sea level to about 600 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 7-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Britain, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, East Africa, El Salvador, Europe, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indochina, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea, Laos, Lesser Antilles, Malawi, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Niue, North America, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Worldwide, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia
How it is used for food
It is used as a vegetable in Maluku.
It is grown as an ornamental in some coastal areas of Papua New Guinea.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. The seedlings can be transplanted. Seed are sown 3-6 mm deep.
Its other names
Local names
Ablajtiin, Bachelor’s Buttons, Bachnhat, Didimangu, Idjoso, Idose, Lehua mau loa, Makhamali, Ma-nyo-lon-pan, Mseche, No-ngay, Oblocvetna gomfrena, Pahwis, Qian re hong, Staan vaste, Te motiti, Thousand Days red, Tocoroho