THE POWER OF PLUMED COCKSCOMB

Family: Amaranthaceae

Latin name: Celosia Argentea

Other common names: silver cock’s comb

Plumed Cockscomb is an amazingly beautiful flower that is popular not only among gardeners but also among doctors and even cooks. It originates from Africa and Asia. Celosia Argentea is an annual, tropical, herbaceous plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It is upright, many-branched and can reach up to 40-200 cm in height. The leaves are simple and alternately arranged; the leaf blade can be oval, lanceolate-oblong or linear. The inflorescence is a thick, cylindrical, bright-coloured, many-flowered spike that is about 20 cm long. The flowers are little, bisexual and regular. The fruit is represented by an ovate or spherical few-seeded capsule that is about 3–4 mm long. The black lenticular seeds are very small. The plant is propagated via seeds.

Parts used: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, seeds.

The young shoots and leaves of the plant are edible and can be used for culinary purposes.

Plumed Cockscomb Tea

What you need:

• 1 cup of water
• 1-2 tsp of plumed cockscomb seeds

Bring the water to a boil and pour it over the seeds. Infuse the mixture for about 10-15 minutes. Strain the tea. Enjoy this health-giving drink!