The well-known “cockscomb” form of Celosia argentea, in which the upper part or almost the whole of the inflorescence produces long and plumose to shorter and rather squat sterile shoots with narrow bracts and bracteoles. It is widely grown as a decorative in the tropics in many colour forms.

Type: Linnean specimen 288/4 (LINN, holotype!).

Farooqi and M. Qaiser 3124 is said to have been “wild”, and was of the red colour form; it would thus appear that this plant may occur subspontaneously from time to time.