Celosia argentea (Spicata Group)

Developed from a species native to tropical Africa, this garden form is an annual herb in the amaranth family. Its upright, wheat-like flower spikes are pink, purple, or red. Flowers open from the bottom upward as the spikes lengthen. The heads are useful for fresh and dried arrangements, and young leaves are edible. Plants grow readily from seed and may reseed freely. The species is naturalized in Colombia and considered invasive in China. Photographed in Colombia.