Quail Grass is a warm-season in most of the United States, grown in gardens and found growing wild in some places. Its tiny flowers form slim spikes, feathery plumes, or broad crests, depending on the form. It is also commonly called feather cockscomb.
Appearance
Appearance
Wild-looking plants usually have narrow upright flower spikes. Garden forms may have feathery plumes or flattened, brainlike crests in red, pink, orange, yellow, or cream.
Growth form
It is a warm-season annual in most of the United States and can persist as a short-lived perennial in 10a–11b.
Leaves
The smooth-edged leaves grow alternately along the stem.
Flowers
Many tiny flowers crowd together into a dense spike. The slender wild form is often silvery white or pink.
Fruit
The small dry capsule opens around the middle and releases several shiny black seeds.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
gardens
disturbed ground
roadsides
Range
The species is native to tropical Africa and has been introduced in several U.S. states, including Florida, Texas, and North Carolina.
Preferred conditions
It grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, and it handles summer heat and humidity well.
Growing it
Propagation
Gardeners usually grow it from seed after frost danger has passed.
Name and classification
About the name
The crested garden form, cockscomb (Celosia cristata), is sometimes treated as a form of this species and sometimes as a separate species.
Conservation
IUCN Red List
LCLeast Concern·Low risk of extinction
Culture and stories
Culture and stories
The colorful flower heads are used fresh and dried in arrangements.