Celosia argentea var. cristata, known as cockscomb, is the cristate or crested variety of the species Celosia argentea. It was likely originally native to India, where it was saved from extinction in cultivation by the religious significance attached to the variety by Indian, Burmese, and Chinese gardeners who planted it near temples. The name cockscomb is used as the flower looks like the head on a rooster. The plants are resistant to most diseases, and grow equally well indoors or out, though the perfect place is one with no shade and a well-drained soil, as the plant is susceptible to fungal diseases. The plant is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant for its spectacular flowering and is highly appreciated by horticulturists for its originality because it has inflorescences in the form of wavy crest. The flowers can be cut and dried to make dry bouquets and are used frequently as ornamental plants indoors. Their leaves and flowers can be used as vegetables. They are often grown as foods in India, Western Africa, and South America. The somaticchromosome number for the cristate variety is 2n = 36, while investigation of the typical species revealed a chromosome number of 2n = 72.
Description
They are annual plants of tropical origin and are herbaceous meaning they lack a woody stem, with a straight, juicy and unbranched stem. Its elliptic leaves lanceolate, are green or red-tanned with terminal inflorescences, thick and flattened, velvety, in the form of ridge crest, in the colors red, whitish, roseate or creamy yellow. They grow well in both humid and arid conditions, and their flowers can last for up to 8 weeks. A high number of seeds can be produced by each flower, up to 1,500 per gram or 43,000 per ounce. The plant often grows up to in height, though many are smaller. The leaves are either green or bronze/maroon, depending upon the cultivar. The flower can be broken into three parts: their spikes, plumes and crests vary from one another but have standard commonalities—they are usually brightly colored, usually red, yellow, pink, or orange, though other colors can be present. In some instances, a variety of colors are present in hybrids.
Cultivation
The plants can be grown easily from the seeds. Since the plants are of tropic origin, they thrive in areas with tropical climate. However, they can also be grown in summer months in the colder climate. The plants being annual plants, grow for only about one fourth of a year. A soil temperature of about is ideal for growth. This plant likes healthy soils, rich in organic matter and a full sun or partial shade exposure. It sows from March to May on a warm diaper, then it must be transplanted once or twice and put in place in May–June, 30–35 cm in all directions. During the summer it is necessary to water it copiously, with the foot especially and will bloom until the frosts. The plants are relatively easy to grow and care for, having few insects that feed on them. Mites, though, are known to feed on the plants. The plants are also susceptible to leaf spotting, root rot and root strangulation. However the former two can be prevented by avoiding a damp soil and the latter by frequent weeding. Also wetting the leaf and flowers should be avoided as they can lead to fungal diseases Cultivars include 'Jewel box', 'Century mix', 'New Look', and 'Pink Castle'. The variety of shapes and colors of flowers and leaves make the cultivars of the silver firecracker a globally popular ornamental plant. Until 1996, mainly varieties of Celosia argentea var. Plumosa were sold as ornamental plants in Europe. Meanwhile, however, Celosia argentea var. Cristata and in particular Celosia argentea 'Caracas' have been added.
Range
The octoploid form of the variant argentea is the one found worldwide in tropics and subtropics. The tetraploid form occurs only in central and southern India. About the varieties of cristata and plumosa are only cultural references from India, Burma and China handed down, where they have long been planted in the vicinity of religious sites and gardens. In nature, they do not seem to occur, because the plants produce little seeds by their flowered flowers. The descent of these cultivated forms is unclear despite several investigations.
Uses
Similar to amaranth, the cockscomb is used as a vegetable. It is the most widely used leafy vegetable in southern Nigeria, and is also part of the diet in Benin, Congo and Indonesia. It is grown in gardens and small farms for their own use and commercially. Even young stems and flowers are eaten. The seeds can also be eaten, they are among the pseudogetreids. Due to the resistance to pests and disease and the higher crop yield, the plant appears as a good alternative to amaranth. In one study it could be shown that the silver fire-pot drives weeds out of fields. In particular, the grass plantations such as cereal or sorghum – infested root parasites of the African witch-herbs could be kept away from fields by common sowing with cockscomb. The yield was increased significantly. The mechanism appears to be a compound produced by the plant and functioning within several meters perimeter, which, like cotton, is found in premature and suicidal seeding. The flowers are a traditional though now seldom-used garnish for desserts, rice cakes and flower-infused alcoholic beverages in Korea.
Ingredients
Ingredients include water, vitamin C, carotenoids, protein, nitrate, and oxalate. In addition, triterpene saponins could be detected in the roots and seeds of the silver fire. Sugar was found in the root, and flavonoids in leaves and stems. The seeds showed a diuretic effect. Yellow inflorescences of cristata and plumosa may contain high doses of dopamine. Celosian, a polysaccharide from the seeds of the cockscomb tuft, shows the animal modelhepatoprotective and immunostimulating effects as well as the aqueous extract from the seeds, wherein also an anti-metastatic effect in the liver of mice could be detected. The alcohol extract of the seeds generates an anti-diabetic effect in certain laboratory rats.
