Gomphrena
(altered from Gromphaena, the name given by Pliny to a kind of Amaranth). Globe Amaranth. ORD. Amarantaceae. A large genus (about seventy species) of half-hardy, annual, biennial or perennial herbs, abounding in tropical America and Australia, one species being widely dispersed through Asia and tropical Africa. Flower-heads generally sessile and solitary at the tips of the branches. Leaves opposite, sessile or shortly-stalked, entire. The common globe-flowered species is one of the prettiest hardy plants grown. It is admirably adapted for the summer decoration of greenhouses and conservatories, forming a neat, erect-branched growth of about 2ft., and a profusion of richly-coloured flower-heads. In order to retain the beauty of these for a considerable period, they should be cut previous to full maturity. For culture, see Celosia.
G. globosa (globe-flowered).* fl-heads various. July. l. pubescent, oblong. h. 1 1/2ft. India, 1714. Annual. (B. M. 2815.) Of the many varieties, nana is perhaps the prettiest, with flowers of a fine dark red; it rarely exceeds 5in. in height, and is usually 7in. to 8in. in diameter. Other varieties are: alba, aurea superba, carnea, Isabellina, purpurea, and striata. G. perennis (perennial). fl.-heads pale yellow, two-leaved; florets distinguished by a peculiar perianth. July to October. l. lanceolate. h. 2ft. South America, 1732. (B. M. 2614.) G. pulchella (neat). fl.-heads rosy, globose, smooth; involucre many-leaved; segments of staminous tube bicuspidate; peduncles elongated. July. l. lanceolate. h. 1 1/2ft. Brazil, 1843. Annual (?). (B. M. 4064.)