*** History:
During the Victorian era, specific flowers had different meanings. Love-lies-bleeding (other name of the flower) stood for hopeless love in the Victorian language of flowers.
*** Description:
Celosia cristata (Cockscomb, Love-lies-bleeding, velvet flower)common garden plant of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). The plants produce dense undulating inflorescences that resemble the red combs on the heads of roosters; the colours range from white and yellow to shades of orange, red, and purple. The flowers can be dried and used in floral arrangements. Their leaves and flowers can be used as vegetables. They are often grown as foods in India, Western Africa, and South America.
*** Origin:
The exact origins of Cockscomb in the wild are unknown, though some assign the geographical origins to the dry slopes of Africa and India as well as the dry rocky regions of both North and South America.
*** Application:
Amaranth grains can be toasted in a covered saucepan with a small amount of oil and mixed with honey, molasses, or chocolate. Seeds do not need to be cooked. Throw some in with your favorite cereal or trail mix.
Amaranth leaves (Amaranthus cruentus), can be used for cooking and in salads. It has a slightly sweet taste that is delicious. The leaves and stems can be used in soups or stir fries. Leaves can be steamed with red peppers and cumin. Leaves can be used just like spinach
*** More information:
https://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/growingflowers/flowersandseasons/cockscomb
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b728
http://healingherbinfo.com/index.php/herbs/herb/velvet_flower
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