Practical
Plants

Celosia argentea cristata

Common Cockscomb

an annual member of the Celosia genus in the family Amaranthaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Celosia
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves and young shoots - cooked[4][5][6]. Used as a vegetable[8].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flower and seed is astringent, haemostatic, ophthalmic, parasiticide and poultice[2][3][5]. It is used in the treatment of bloody stool, haemorrhoid bleeding, uterine bleeding, leucorrhoea and diarrhoea[3]. As a parasiticide it is very effective against Trichomonas, a 20% extract can cause the Trichomonas to disappear in 15 minutes[3]. The seed is hypotensive and ophthalmic[3]. It is used in the treatment of bloodshot eyes, blurring of vision, cataracts and hypertension, but should not be used by people with glaucoma because it dilates the pupils[3]. The seed also has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas[3].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Hypotensive
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Parasiticide

Environment

Range
Pantropics.
Habitat
Open moist places to elevations of 1600 metres in Nepal[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[7]. Widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, especially in S. Europe[9]. It is often used in summer bedding schemes[1]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  6. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  8. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2

  9. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

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