celosia

Cockscomb
Celosia spicata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Amaranthaceae
Subfamily:	Amaranthoideae
Genus:	Celosia
Species
Celosia argentea Celosia cristata Celosia nitida Celosia palmeri Celosia plumosa Celosia trigyna Celosia virgata

Celosia (pronounced /siːˈloʊʃiə/)^[1] is a small genus of edible and ornamental plants, similar in appearance and uses to the amaranths. Deriving from the Greek word ‘kelos,’ meaning burned. They are sometimes called cockscombs or woolflowers. The name itself refers to the plant’s brilliant appearance and striking flame-like flower heads which resemble cockscombs. The name "cockscomb" may be restricted to those whose flower heads are crested by fasciation. The plant is well known in East Africa’s highlands and is used under its Swahili name, mfungu.

Abilities

Despite its African origin (a claim that is not without dispute), celosia is known as a foodstuff in Indonesia and India. Moreover, in the future it might become more widely eaten, especially in the hot and malnourished regions of the equatorial zone. In that regard, it has already been hailed as the often-wished-for vegetable that “grows like a weed without demanding all the tender loving care that other vegetables seem to need” says Martin Price of Florida. He continues "“Every place I have tried it, it grows with no work. We have had no disease problems and very little insect damage. It reseeds itself abundantly and new plants have come up in the immediate vicinity.”^[2]

As a food

Celosia argentea var. argentea or Lagos spinach (a.k.a. quail grass, Soko, Celosia, feather cockscomb) is a broadleaf annual leaf vegetable belonging to the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). It grows widespread across northern South America, tropical Africa, the West Indies, South, East and Southeast Asia where it is grown as a native or naturalized wildflower, and is cultivated as a nutritious leafy green vegetable. It is traditional fare in countries of Central and West Africa, and is one of the leading leafy green vegetables in Nigeria, where it is known as ‘soko yokoto’, meaning ‘make husbands fat and happy.’^[3]

As a grain, Cockscomb is a pseudocereal, not a true cereal.

These leaves are used —not to mention young stems and young inflorescences— soften up readly and are used for stew. The leaves also have a soft texture and has a mild spinich-like taste. They are also pepped up with such things as hot pepper, garlic, fresh lime, and red palm oil and eaten as a side dish.

Prospects

Works well in humid areas and is most used leafy plant in Nigeria. It grows in the wet season and grows wells while other plant succumb to mold and other plant diseases like mildew. Celosia though a very simple plant does need moderate soil moisture.

Uses

Treats for intestinal worms (particularly tapeworm), blood diseases, mouth sores, eye problems. The seeds treat chest complaints and flowers diarrhea. The leaves are used as dressings for boils and sores, and the boiled vegetables are said to be slightly diuretic.

As a garden plant

Seed production in these species can be very high, 200-700 kg per hectare. One ounce of seed may contain up to 43,005 seeds. One thousand seeds can weigh 1.0-1.2 grams. Depending upon the location and fertility of the soil, blossoms can last 8-10 weeks.

Celosia cristata is a common garden ornamental plant in China and other places.

Images

Celosia cristata. Common name Yellow Toreador.

Red cockscomb

A close view of red cockscombs

Silver cockscomb Celosia argentea

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Celosia

1. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
2. ^ See further information at Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables [1]
3. ^ See further information at ECHO [2]

• Uses and Growth of Celosia spp.
• Virtual Flowers Celosia Information