Plant · GBIF taxon 3085191
Quail Grass
Celosia argenteaAlso known as Plumed Cockscomb, Silver Cockscomb, Lagos Spinach, Feather Cockscomb
Quail grass produces dense, feathery spikes of tiny flowers that range from silver-white to vibrant crimson. Native to tropical Africa, this fast-growing annual thrives in sunny, disturbed soils, spreading rapidly via thousands of small black seeds dispersed by wind and rain. Cultivated globally as a striking garden ornamental and historically grown in West Africa as a leafy vegetable, wild populations frequently colonize agricultural land and roadsides.
AnnualColorfulFlowering
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic
Predators
- Caterpillars
- Aphids
- Grasshoppers
ThreatsAgricultural weed control measures
HabitatsTropical grasslands, agricultural fields, waste ground, disturbed soils
Life spanAnnual
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCaryophyllales
- FamilyAmaranthaceae
- GenusCelosia
- SpeciesCelosia argentea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look for brilliant silver-pink to magenta plumes standing above lance-shaped foliage in open, sunlit areas.
- Floral Displays: Harvest flower spikes just as they open for long-lasting fresh or dried floral arrangements.
Close Relative Judgefloro / CC0 · cc0
Family Relative (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Family Relative (c) Lauren Ware, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lauren Ware · cc-by
Family Relative (c) Dinesh Valke, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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