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Gomphrena celosioides Mart.
| Family Name: | Amaranthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Gomphrena lutea, Gomphrena alba |
| Common Name: | Bachelor's Button, Prostrate Globe-Amaranth, 银花苋 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Biennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual or biennial herb with a creeping, sprawling or semi-erect growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Opposite leaves are elliptical with smooth edges (3-4 cm long, 1 cm wide). |
| Flowers | The flower-like inflorescence is composed of many tiny flowers with white, petal-like bracts. It is initially round and may elongate to become cylinder-shaped over time. |
| Fruit | Dry, indehiscent fruit is known as a utricle. Fruits are approximately round and each contains one brown, glossy seed (1.5 mm long). |
| Habitat | It is found on moist soils, such as near river banks. |
| Cultivation | While not commonly cultivated, it could be attractive in a naturalistic garden. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Nigeria, the plant is used to treat skin and worm infections, as well as induce abortion. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Head / Capitulum |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Utricle |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32207 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6613 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
