Common Name: Common Cockscomb

General Information

Celosia argentea is an erect, usually much-branched, annual plant growing 40 - 200cm tall.
This species is one of the most promising leaf crops for cultivation in poor or variable growing conditions[]. It is sometimes cultivated in western tropical Africa, and a few other areas of the tropics, for its edible leaves[]. It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant from the tropics to warm temperate areas, especially in southern Europe where it is often used in summer bedding schemes[, , ]. There are two main forms, one with green leaves and one with red[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Pantropical

Habitat

Open moist places to elevations of 1600 metres in Nepal[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Wind, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, able to be grown also in the subtropics and warm temperate zones. It can be grown at elevations up to 1,600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 25 - 30°c, but can tolerate 20 - 40°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of 5°c or lower[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 3,000mm[].
For best leaf production, the plant requires a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[, ], though it is tolerant of a range of soil types[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[].
Originally from tropical Africa, the plant has spread wherever humans have gone in the tropics and subtropics, both as a weed and as an escape from cultivation[].
Early vegetative growth is slow, but flowering may occur already 6 - 7 weeks after sowing. Improved cultivars have a more rapid early vegetative development but flower later, 12 - 14 weeks after sowing[]
The green form can be harvested for leaves and green shoots 30 - 40 days from sowing, and for seeds after 80 - 90 days[]. The red form is somewhat slower, but produces seeds 100 - 120 days from sowing[].
Leaf yields from the green form may be 10 - 15 kg per 10 square metres. The red form yields about 25 kg per 10 square metres[].
The early flowering of local cultivars or wild types makes them less attractive to consumers and more amenable to once-over harvesting by uprooting, whereas the improved cultivars can be harvested by uprooting as well as by repeated cutting. Flowering is delayed by repeated cutting of the tender vegetative parts[].
Plants have a tolerance to both dry and humid growing conditions and have few pest or disease problems[]. Plants will often self-sow[].
There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots - cooked[, , ]. Used as a vegetable[, ]. Used in soups and stews[, ]. The leaves retain a pleasant green colour when cooked - they soften readily and should not be overcooked[]. The texture is soft and the flavour very mild and spinach-like with no hint of bitterness[].

An edible oil can be obtained from the seed[].

Medicinal

The flowers and seed are astringent, haemostatic, ophthalmic, parasiticide and poultice[, , ]. They are used in the treatment of bloody stool, haemorrhoid bleeding, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea, dysentery and diarrhoea[, ]. As a parasiticide it is very effective against Trichomonas, a 20% extract can cause the Trichomonas to disappear in 15 minutes[].

The seed is hypotensive and ophthalmic[]. It also has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas[]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, bloodshot eyes, blurring of vision, cataracts and hypertension, but should not be used by people with glaucoma because it dilates the pupils[, ]. The seeds are widely used in India for the treatment of diabetes mellitus[].

A liquid extract from the leaves and flowers is used as a body wash for convalescents[].

The leaves are used in the treatment of infected sores, wounds and skin eruptions[].

The whole plant is used as an antidote for snakebites[].

The roots are used in the treatment of colic, gonorrhoea and eczema[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. consider giving them some protection, such as a cloche, until they are growing away strongly.