Cockscomb, Celosia

Celosia cristata L.

Celosia spicata Spreng.

sell-OH-see-ah cris-TATE-ah spi-CAY-tah

Amaranthaceae

Explanation of name:   From FNA: Greek keleos, burning, alluding to color and/or appearance of the inflorescence of C. cristata.  Cristata means crested.  Spicata refers to a spike inflorescence.

Taxonomic note from FNA:

In this treatment [FNA], Celosia cristata, the cultivated cockscomb, is considered a species separate from C. argentea, its likely wild progenitor; however, it is often treated as an infraspecific entity (variety or form) of the latter. The former is a tetraploid; the latter, an octoploid, although a tetraploid race of C. argentea is known in India (T. N. Khoshoo and M. Pal 1973). Convincing evidence has been presented for recognizing this cytologically and morphologically distinct race as a separate species (W. F. Grant 1961, 1962). Celosia cristata is known only in cultivation or as an escape from cultivation.

Natural range:  C. argentea, possibly India (FNA). C. cristata known only from cultivation.

Recognition:   Coarse annuals with tiny flowers clustered in vast numbers into colorful heads.  Available mostly in three forms: 1)  Plumes (Plumosa Group).  2)  Spikes (Spicata Group).  3)  Crested (Cristata Group).  The last-mentioned are fasciated (a mutation where the stem on the inflorescence expands into a fan shape, resembling a brain coral or cock’s comb).  Colors are usually vibrant, or may be muted: red, rose, orange, cream, magenta, or yellow.

Landscape uses:  Very popular, bright-colored annuals.  May be grown from seed.  Some have escaped from cultivation. 

Internet sources: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/newsletters/hortupdate/apr06/Celosia.html