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Celosia argentea 'Eternity Improved'
| Family Name: | Amaranthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Celosia swinhoei, Celosia coccinea |
| Common Name: | Cockscomb, Prince of Wales Feather, Prince Feather, 青葙 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 0.8 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual, erect herb up to 0.8 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves are oblong to lance-shaped or lance-shaped to linear (5-8 cm long, 1-3 cm wide). |
| Stems | The stem is hairless and light green to slightly reddish. |
| Flowers | Scarlet flowers are densely arranged along a conical spike inflorescence (7.5-13 cm long). The inflorescence stalk is 35-66 cm long. |
| Fruit | Dry indehiscent fruits are known as utricles (3-3.5 mm long). They are egg-shaped and covered by the remains of the perianth (sepals and petals). |
| Cultivation | Plants will bloom in 85-90 days. Pinch the growing tip to promote branching. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Cut - Dried Flower: Flowers remain bright scarlet even after dried. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Flowerbed / Border |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Planting Remarks | Do not cover seeds after sowing, because they need light to germinate. |
| Transplanting Tolerance | Good |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
| Planting Distance | 15 cm to 30 cm |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate, Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Oblong, Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Attenuate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Typical Foliar Size | 5 cm to 8 cm |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Individual Flower Shape | Ligulate / Strap-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Opening Time | Daytime |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Inflorescence Size | 13 cm |
| Typical Flowering Age | 3 months |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Utricle |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Black |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32964 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7378 |
| 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. |
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