Globe Amaranth is also known as Gomphrena and Bachelor’s buttons. It is called Gul-e-makhmal in Hindi and Urdu, Chengkruk in Manipuri, Vadamalli in Malayalam. In Oriya we call it Godi Manika. Its Botanical name is Gomphrena globosa.
Globe Amaranth is a tropical annual flower with small, pinecone-shaped, delicate flowers. It is an all-time flower-gardening favourite. It is one of the most useful blossoms around. It seems to have it all, it thrives in all conditions, it blooms nearly nonstop, great for cutting and drying, and it attracts butterflies. It can grow up to two feet with newer, smaller varieties that has a bushy appearance. The branched stems are erect and stiff. The leaves are opposite, oblong, 4-6 in long, and woolly-white when young, becoming sparsely white-hairy as they age. Flowers are globular in shape, but actually consist of numerous individual flowers. The flowers are about an inch in diameter and have a wide variety of colour range like purple, magenta, crimson red, pale mauve, off-white and even golden hue. But the most common colour found is magenta. Globe amaranth tolerates poor soil. Average to fertile garden soil is fine. Plant requires full sun and excellent drainage. It’s a very long lasting plant. That’s why in some cultures and beliefs it is regarded as a symbol of unfading love.
These plants are not only loved for their ornamental applications, but also for their use as a food source, dye and medicine. Some varieties of amaranth are grown for their seeds which are a very palatable, easy to cook, high protein food having a pleasant taste. Some varieties of amaranth are grown for their edible greens leaves.
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