Lagos spinach, Quail grass, Cock’s comb
Celosia argentea

Family: Amaranthaceae

What it is like

An erect short lived annual herb up to 1 m tall. The leaves are alternate and light green. They are 2 cm wide and 6 cm long. They are dark green and longer on flowering shoots. The flower spike grows on the end of the main stem and is red or purple. It is 20 cm long. The seeds are small (1 mm across). Two kinds occur as red and green forms.

Leaves contain nitre which makes them diuretic. There are about 40-50 Celosia species. The leaves are rich in iron and therefore good for anaemia.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows well in the lowlands humid forest zone. It suits damp humid places and is often on clayey soil. The plant is widespread as a wild plant at low altitudes. It grows up to 1700 m in Ethiopia. Temperatures between 25-30°C at night and 30-35°C in the day are best. It needs good sunlight and does best in soils with high organic matter. It can grow in light shade and in dry conditions. In Nepal it grows up to 1600 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central Asia, Chad, China, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, Sahel, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), Yemen, Zambia

How it is used for food

The tender leaves and young flowers are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. It is best eaten before flowering. The dried leaves can be added to wheat flour and cooked. They are used in soups, sauces and stews. It is used a flavouring. An edible oil can be extracted from the seeds. The red colouring from the flowers can be used to colour lamb stew red. They are also used for pan fried cake.

It is an important and nutritious vegetable. It is sold year round in markets. It is cultivated. Grown as an ornamental in Papua New Guinea, but not often used as a food.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds - oil, vegetable, flowers, tea

How it is grown

The plant can be grown by seeds. The seeds are very small so can be mixed with sand to allow more even sowing. These plants are often grown just as ornamentals. The seed are broadcast then mulched with dry grass, which is removed once the seeds have germinated. Seedlings do not transplant easily. They can be transplanted after 2-3 weeks. It is good for intercropping amongst other vegetables.

Harvesting of leaves can commence about 4-5 weeks after planting. Tops can be cut off over a period of 3-5 months. It grows slowly at first, therefore repeated picking of tips gives better production than harvesting whole small plants.

Its other names

Local names

Adefo, Aem, Alefo, Anandasoa, Anne soppu, Avunvo, Ayinkpinnan, Bayam ekor belanda, Bayam ekur kuching, Bayam merah, Borocho, Bostan afras, Chare maguri, Chinese Cock’s Comb, Dedogime, Dhura dru, Ekaliyo, Foxtail amaranth, Garka, Gurugu, Guruvu kura, Horbaita, Huldi murga, Jengger ayam, Ji guan hua, Kanju, Kima arxa, Kodijuttutotakura, Kokan, Koontha, Kukudda, Kunjru, Kurada, Kurdu, Kyet-mauk, Kyet -monk, Lagos spinach, Lahenga, Lal murga, Lal murghka, Lambadi, Lapadi, Lasor, Leheti sak, Lemdi, Lunadalandala, Maendeurami, Makhumaa, Mamiratsy, Mawal, Mayura-shikha, Mesor, Mora shikha, Morogful shak, Morogihutishak, Ninga, Niu mu wo, Nyaayu, Panchechettu, Pannae, Pannai, Pila murghka, Pile murghka, Safed murga-ka-phul, Saigatya, Salara, Sankokolo, Sarpankha, Sarwari, Sawari, Shelar, Sifaid murgha, Silairi, Silgizara, Siliari sag, Siliyari, Silver and red foxtail, Silwari, Sirgit ara, Sirmali, Soko pupa, Sokoyokoto, Soman, Somon, Srebrna celozija, Suggi sak, Surli, Surwari, Suwari, Swet morog, Swetmurga, Taji khoros, Tambadi, Tchokoyokoto, Tetekpkpo, Tinonyawouti, Tipekenonte, Torcha, Torchata, Vitunna, Zo-ci

Synonyms

Amaranthus cristata Noronha; Amaranthus huttonii H. J. Veitch; Amaranthus purpureus Nieuwl.; Amaranthus pyramidalis Noronha; Celosia argentea L. var. cristata (L.) O. Kuntze; Celosia argentea f. cristata (L.) Schinz; Celosia aurea T. Moore; Celosia castrensis L.; Celosia coccinea L.; Celosia comosa Retz.; Celosia cristata L.; Celosia debilis S. Moore; Celosia huttonii Mast.; Celosia japonica Mart.; Celosia margaritacea L.; Celosia marylandica Retz.; Celosia pallida Salisb.; Celosia plumosa (Voss) Burv.; Celosia purpurea J. St.-Hil.; Celosia pyramidalis Burm.f.; Celosia splendens Schumach. & Thonn.; Celosia swinhoei Hemsley; Chamissoa margaritacea (L.) Schouw; Lophoxera comosa Raf.; Lophoxera racemosa Raf.;