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Photo source: Shaista Ahmad
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Common name: Cockscomb, Lalmurga लाल मुर्ग़ा (Hindi), Haolei (Manipuri), கோழிப்பூ Kozhi poo (Tamil)
Botanical name: Celosia argentea var. plumosa Family: Amaranthaceae (amaranth family)
The celosias or cockscombs are erect, branching plants with oval or
lance-shaped, strongly veined leaves 2-6 in long and
hundreds of tiny flowers packed in dense, brightly colored flowerheads
which usually stand above the foliage. The Plumosa Group of cultivars
(sometimes sold as Celosia 'Plumosa' or feathered amaranth) have feathery
plumelike flowerheads, 4-10 in tall, that look a little
like tiny Christmas trees. Differs from the stiff-looking crested cockscomb
(Celosia argentea var. cristata) in that their flowers are arranged in loose
plumes rather than tightly knit crests.
They prefer full sun and medium moisture and mulching will greatly help the
surrounding soil to retain moisture. They are low maintenance and are mostly
pest free, but may sometimes be afflicted with stem and root rot and possibly
spider mites. Celosias are grown from seed.
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