Celosia argentea

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

Celosia argentea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Celosia
Species:
C. argentea
Binomial name
Celosia argentea
Synonyms[1]

Description

Celosia argentea is a tender annual that is often grown in gardens. It blooms in mid-spring to summer. It is propagated by seeds. The seeds are extremely small, up to 43,000 seeds per ounce.[4] The flowers are hermaphrodites.

Cultivation

As these plants are of tropical origin, they grow best in full sunlight and should be placed in a well-drained area. The flowerheads can last up to 8 weeks, and further growth can be promoted by removing dead flowers.[4]

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.[4] Celosia plumosa, also known as Prince of Wales feathers,[5] 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):[6]

  • C. argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Smart Look Red'[7]
  • C. argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Fresh Look Orange' (Fresh Look Group)[8]
  • C. argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Glow Red'[9]
  • C. argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Century Rose' (Century Group)[10]
  • C. argentea var. cristata (Spicata Group) 'Flamingo Feather'[11]

Taxonomic issues

Horticultural usage may be very confusing. For instance Celosia cristata may be listed as a separate species, or a variety of C. argentea. Other names for C. argentea var. plumosa include Celosia argenta var. pyrimidalis and C. spicata.

Other classifications consider three variants:

  • C. argentea var. argentea
  • C. argentea var. cristata
  • C. argentea var. plumosa Voss

Uses

It is used in Africa to help control growth of the parasitic Striga plant. It can also be used in soaps.[12]

Food

The leaves and flowers are edible and are grown for such use in Africa and Southeast Asia.[13] 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).[14][15]

Images
  • Silver cockscomb Celosia argentea
  • Celosia argentea. 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition, Taiwan.
  • Celosia cristata
  • Plumed cockscomb flower and an insect on it.
  • Around the fields in Hyderabad, India
  • Celosia argentea. 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition, Taiwan.
  • Colored varieties used as ornamental plant in the Botanical Garden of Curitiba, Southern Brazil
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See also
  • Celosia cristata

References
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  2. "Celosia argentea L." USDA. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  3. 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.
  4. "Cockscomb". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  5. "Prince of Wales Feathers – Celosia plumosa". Archived from the original on 2008-12-10.
  6. "AGM Plants – Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 17. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  7. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Smart Look Red'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  8. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Fresh Look Orange' (Fresh Look Group)". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  9. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Glow Red'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  10. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Plumosa Group) 'Century Rose' (Century Group)". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  11. "RHS Plantfinder – Celosia argentea var. cristata (Spicata Group) 'Flamingo Feather'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  12. "Celosia". AVRDC. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  13. Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
  14. ECHO Archived May 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  15. Hanelt et al., Mansfeld's encyclopedia of agricultural and horticultural crops, 2001 Google Books
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