Celosia trigyna L.

Annual herb, erect, simple or branching from near the base upwards, (8–)30–120(–180) cm.. Stem and branches green to reddish, sulcate or striate, glabrous or with subscabrid, short, few-celled hairs especially about the nodes.. Leaves narrowly lanceolate to broadly ovate, acute to acuminate, glabrous or with short few-celled hairs on the lower surface about the base; lamina of the leaves from main stem (10–)20–85(–100) × (4–)10–40(–50) mm., subcordate to truncate or attenuate below, the lower margins often scabrid, ± decurrent along the slender, up to ± 5 cm. petiole; upper and branch leaves smaller and often narrower, more shortly stalked; all leaves often deciduous by the time of fruiting.. Inflorescences axillary and terminal, simple or branched spike-like condensed thyrses ± 6.5–35 cm. long, formed of distant or (at least above) approximate few-many-flowered lax or congested and subglobose white or pinkish clusters 2–20(–30) mm. in diameter, in well-grown individuals the upper leaves much reduced so that a terminal panicle is formed; inflorescence-axis glabrous or sparingly furnished with multicellular hairs.. Bracts and bracteoles ovate to oval-elliptic, ± 1.25–2 mm., scarious with a single nerve, margins minutely (often more coarsely at the base) erose-denticulate, glabrous.. Perianth segments oval-elliptic, 1.75–2.75 mm., shortly mucronate with the percurrent single nerve, glabrous, scarious with a narrow less translucent vitta along the nerve, margins minutely denticulate, at least above.. Free portion of filaments subequalling the sheath, sinuses rounded with no intermediate teeth; anthers red.. Stigmas 2–3, longer than the very short style.. Ovary 6–8-ovulate.. Capsule ovoid, 1.75–2.25 mm., included or a little exserted, rounded and not thickened at the apex.. Seeds ± 0.75 mm., compressed, black, shining, with a rather fine reticulate pattern, the areolae being only very slightly convex.

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical Africa. It grows in lowlands and highlands. It is often along the coast but grows from sea level to 1,960 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It needs a rainfall or up to 2,500 mm and an average temperature of 25-30°C. It cannot tolerate a temperature below 15°C. It is best on fertile, well drained soils.

The young shoots and leaves are cooked and eaten. They are finely cut and used in soups, stews and sauces. They are also used in soups and sauces. Because they can be bitter they need extensive cooking or mixing with other foods.

Plants are grown by seeds. Seeds germinate in 4-5 days. It grows for 90-120 days. Because the seeds are small they are best mixed with sand to give a more even distribution.