Celosia is an unusual velvety coral-shaped flower that usually comes in shades of red, pink, yellow or orange. Celosia, a name derived from the Greek ‘kelos’ meaning fire, may also go by the name Celosia Brains, Woolflowers or Cockscombs. The flower head of the Celosia plant is either crested, like coral, or tall and plumed, like a feather.
Celosia has stringy celery-like stems with leafy foliage, and is treated in Africa as a vegetable. The plant grows wild in hot tropical regions of South America, Africa and South East Asia. In China, Celosia is cultivated as a garden plant, whereas in most Western counties Celosia is grown solely for the cut flower industry.
Florists find the flower head of Celosia to be considerably long lasting, while the foliage wilts easily. The flower is bright and original, and looks great in funky arrangements. The feathery variety of Celosia, known as the Prince of Wales Feather, is often used in dried flower arrangements.