Celosia (Celosia argentea)

Edible Celosia flower.

Common Names
Celosia, Lagos spinach, quail grass, plumed cockscomb, silver cock’s comb (En); célosie, célosie argentée, crête de coq (Fr); borlón, cresta de gallo (Sp); 青葙 (Cn)

Plant Distribution
Worldwide

Edible Parts
Leaves, tender stems, and young flower spikes are eaten boiled, or cooked in sauce or stew with other ingredients. Other uses: as ornamental plants, windbreaks, soap, etc.

Health Values
Beta-carotene: extremely high in leaves; vitamin E: medium; folic acid: high; ascorbic acid: medium; calcium: medium; iron: medium; protein: 4.7%. Leaves contain also amaranthine (betacyanin), oxalic acid (ca. 0.2%) and phytic acid (ca. 0.12%).

Read more: Celosia, in Discovering Indigenous Treasures: Promising Indigenous Vegetables from Around the World. 2009. AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center.