Back

Celosia argentea Cristata Group

Family Name:	Amaranthaceae
Synonyms:	Celosia argentea var. cristata (L.) Kuntze, Celosia cristata
Common Name:	Cockscomb, Common Cockscomb, 鸡冠花

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Herb or Spice

Indoor Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Annual

Herbaceous Plant

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Semi-Annual / Annual-Like, Annual

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	1 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	East Indies

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	A herbaceous annual, 0.6 to 1 m in height. Leaves are ovate to lanceolate, fresh green and tender to touch. Inflorescences are velvety, shaped like a fan or rounded and convoluted, resembling a brain or the cock’s comb, thus the common name ‘Cockscomb’. The showy flowers may last for around 8 weeks and can be used in floral arrangements as cut or dried flowers. Propagated by seeds and prefers rich and moist soils that are well-drained. Can be grown as a potted plant indoors. Has medicinal properties. Species epithet means ‘silvery’, as flower base is silvery while variety name ‘cristata’ means crested, referring to the foldings and crests in the flowers.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Seeds said to be hypotensive and ophthalmic, used to treat eye problems such as bloodshot eyes and “blurred eyes”. Flowers used as a haemostatic to treat discharge of blood, such as bloody stool, haemorrhoid bleeding and uterine bleeding.

Others - Plant Morphology

A herbaceous annual, 0.6 to 1 m in height. Leaves are ovate to lanceolate, fresh green and tender to touch. Inflorescences are velvety, shaped like a fan or rounded and convoluted, resembling a brain or the cock’s comb, thus the common name ‘Cockscomb’. The showy flowers may last for around 8 weeks and can be used in floral arrangements as cut or dried flowers. Propagated by seeds and prefers rich and moist soils that are well-drained. Can be grown as a potted plant indoors. Has medicinal properties. Species epithet means ‘silvery’, as flower base is silvery while variety name ‘cristata’ means crested, referring to the foldings and crests in the flowers.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Food (Herb or Spice)
Others: Seeds said to be hypotensive and ophthalmic, used to treat eye problems such as bloodshot eyes and “blurred eyes”. Flowers used as a haemostatic to treat discharge of blood, such as bloody stool, haemorrhoid bleeding and uterine bleeding.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses	Container Planting, Flowerbed / Border, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance	Well-Drained Soils

Maintenance Requirements	Low
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Herbaceous

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	Red

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	499
Species ID	1795
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.