The Cockscomb
THE COCKSCOMB is a name that  leans upon the similarity of the flower to the combs of roosters, but is also likened by many to the appearance of brains as well. The flower-heads of some of the species are large and flat, such as found on a rooster; others such as the Feather Cockscomb erupt like the plumes of ostriches.
This flower is a member of the Amaranth family, which is thought to have originated in Africa and India.
One variety, nicknamed the wool flower, gets its moniker from its resemblance to a tangled mass of wool yarn.
It is also known as Celosia, which name is derived from a Greek term for ‘burned’ that could refer to the amazing brilliance of colour that some of the species exhibit.
Colours of any variety of the Cockscomb flower are vibrant, ranging from bright yellow to deep crimson, to brilliant pink.
Different varieties of Celosia have diverse growth characteristics. Some varieties grow only to 6 to 8 inches, while certain types tower over other annuals at approximately 4 feet in height.
Cockscomb blooms with a compacted crested head 2-5 inches across, on leafy stems that are 12-28 inches long.
The exotic plumes make superb dried specimens, retaining their colour long after harvest.As an ornamental, the Cockscomb flower has 5-14 days of vase life.
The exact origins of the Cockscomb in the wild are unknown, though some assign the geographical origins to the dry slopes of Africa and India, as well as the dry rocky regions of both North and South America.
Locally, Cockscombs are available at Flower’s Paradise on the Eccles Public Road (Opposite Jumbo).  Tel# 233-3029.