Celosia argentea

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • Botanical Name : Celosia argentea L.
  • Synonyms : Celosia argentea L. var.cristata (L.) Kuntze, Celosia cristata L.
  • Common Name : Lalmurga, Cockscomb Crested, Morshikha
  • Plant Family : Amaranthaceae
  • Plant Form : Herb
  • Occurrence (Sectors) : 21, 24
  • Occurrence (Special Areas) : Indroda Park

About Celosia argentea Plant :

  • Habit : A small, annual, erect herb.
  • Leaves : Linear-lanceolate, alternate, entire.
  • Inflorescence : Flattened Spikes
  • Flowers :
    • Flowers in terminal, large flattened spikes (formed by the union of many spikes - fascination),The lower flowers are only fertile, bracts hyaline, pink or red, yellow or orange or beautifully coloured.
    • Perianth of 1-5, scarious, linear-lanceolate segments. Stamens 5, united below.
    • Ovary one-celled, ovules 4-8.
  • Fruit : Ptyxis with 4-8, compressed seeds.
  • Flowering and Fruiting Time : September-January
  • Significance :                                        
    • Cultivated in the gardens for beautiful flowers
    • Flowers are also used in diarhoea and excessive menstrual discharges.