Celosia argentea

Celosia argentea, commonly known as the plumed cockscomb or silver cock's comb,[2] is a herbaceous plant of tropical origin in the Amaranthaceae family[3] from India and Nepal.[4] The plant is known for its very bright colors. In India and China it is known as a troublesome weed.[5]

Celosia argentea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Celosia
Species:
C. argentea
Binomial name
Celosia argentea
Synonyms[1]
Synonyms list
  • Amaranthus cristatus Noronha
  • Amaranthus huttonii H.J.Veitch
  • Amaranthus purpureus Nieuwl.
  • Amaranthus pyramidalis Noronha
  • Celosia aurea T.Moore
  • Celosia castrensis L.
  • Celosia coccinea L.
  • Celosia comosa Retz.
  • Celosia cristata L.
  • Celosia debilis S.Moore
  • Celosia huttonii Mast.
  • Celosia japonica Houtt.
  • Celosia japonica Mart.
  • Celosia margaritacea L.
  • Celosia marylandica Retz.
  • Celosia pallida Salisb.
  • Celosia plumosa (Voss) Burv.
  • Celosia purpurea J.St.-Hil.
  • Celosia purpurea A.St.-Hil. ex Steud.
  • Celosia pyramidalis Burm.f.
  • Celosia splendens Schumach. & Thonn.
  • Celosia swinhoei Hemsl.
  • Chamissoa margaritacea (L.) Schouw.

Description

Celosia argentea is a tender annual that is often grown in gardens, it can also grow perennially.[4] It blooms in mid-spring to summer. The plant exhibits dodecaploidy.

The flowers are tiny and hermaphrodite, they are packed in narrow, pyramidal, plume-like heads 4–10 inches (10–25 cm) long with vivid colors including shades of orange, red, purple, yellow and cream.[3]

It is propagated by black seeds. The seeds come in capsules;[3] they are extremely small, up to 43,000 seeds per ounce.[6]

Cultivation

As these plants are of tropical origin, they grow best in full sunlight and should be placed in a well-drained area. Full sunlight means they should get at least 8 hours of direct sunlight. For healthy growth plant them in the area where they get early morning sunlight and afternoon shade. In the afternoon the sunlight are mostly harsh especially in hot summer. Afternoon shade will save the plant from excessive heat.[7] The flowerheads can last up to 8 weeks, and further growth can be promoted by removing dead flowers.[6]

Cultivars

Celosia argentea var. cristata 'Flamingo Feathers' is a cultivar that can grow up to 2 feet in height. The colors are predominantly pink to light violet, and the leaves are a darker green than other cultivars. The Century cultivars are usually taller (1–2 feet), and are bright red, yellow, orange, or pink. The Kimono cultivars are generally smaller (4 inches – 1 foot), and have more muted colors, though similar to the Century cultivars. Other colors, such as white, burgundy, orange-red, etc., can be found. Certain varieties will grow to 3–4 feet in height.[6] Celosia plumosa, also known as Prince of Wales feathers,[8] is a synonym for Celosia argentea. Seeds may be sold as mixtures.

The following strains have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017):[9]

  • C. argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Smart Look Red'[10]
  • C. argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Fresh Look Orange' (Fresh Look Group)[11]
  • C. argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Glow Red'[12]
  • C. argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Century Rose' (Century Group)[13]
  • C. argentea var. cristata (Spicata Group) 'Flamingo Feather'[14]

Uses

It is used in Africa to help control growth of the parasitic Striga plant. It can also be used in soaps.[15]

Food

The leaves and flowers are edible and are grown for such use particularly in west Africa and Southeast Asia.[16] Celosia argentea var. argentea or "Lagos spinach" is one of the main boiled greens in West Africa, where it is known as soko yòkòtò (Yoruba) or farar áláyyafó (Hausa).[17][18]


Images

See also

References
  1. "Celosia argentea L." World Flora Online. World Flora Consortium. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  2. "Celosia argentea L." USDA. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  3. "Celosia argentea (Plumosa Group) 'New Look'". Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. n.d. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  4. "Celosia argentea". North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. North Carolina State University. n.d. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  5. Grant, William F. (1954). "A Cytological Study of Celosia argentea, C. argentea var. cristata, and Their Hybrids". Botanical Gazette. The University of Chicago Press. 115 (4): 323–336. doi:10.1086/335831. JSTOR 2473317. S2CID 85012309.
  6. "Cockscomb". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  7. "How to grow colorful celosia: The complete guide". Shiny Plant. 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  8. "Prince of Wales Feathers – Celosia plumosa". Archived from the original on 2008-12-10.
  9. "AGM Plants – Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 17. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  10. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Smart Look Red'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  11. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Fresh Look Orange' (Fresh Look Group)". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  12. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Glow Red'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  13. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Century Rose' (Century Group)". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  14. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Spicata Group) 'Flamingo Feather'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  15. "Celosia". AVRDC. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  16. Grubben, G.J.H.; Denton, O.A. (2004). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Vol. 2. Vegetables. Leiden, Netherlands: ROTA Foundation; Backhuys; CTA.
  17. ECHO Archived May 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  18. Hanelt et al., Mansfeld's encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops, 2001 Google Books
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