Family - Amaranthaceae

Stems - To 60cm tall, glabrous, typically simple, herbaceous, 4-angled, erect.

Leaves - Alternate, glabrous, petiolate, lanceolate, linear-lanceolate or lanceolate-ovate, to +8cm long, +4cm broad, entire.

Inflorescence - Terminal cristate cluster to +12cm broad, domed, chaffy.

Flowers - Perianth variously colored, typically red in this variety, 5-merous, corolla absent. Stamens 5.

Flowering - May - November.

Habitat - Cultivated.

Origin - Native to Asia.

Other info. - There are other varieties without the cristate inflorescence but I think this is the most interesting to look at. Celosia in cultivation has many flower colors such as blue, yellow, orange, pink, etc...
The plants are easily grown and thrive when just left alone. They can take hot, deprived conditions and still bloom quite readily.

Photograph taken off Highway 58, Holden, MO., 9-16-99.