Guineaflower

Celosia odorata Burchell ex Moquin-Tandon in A. P. de Candolle and A. L. P. P. de Candolle, Prodr. 13(2): 244. 1849

Stems branched distally, pu-bescent. Leaves scattered on stem; blade 1-2 cm × 1-1.5 mm. Inflorescences elongate spikes; bracts and bracteoles 2.5-5 mm, membranous. Flowers white or pinkish; tepals 3-5-veined at base, equal, 4-7 mm; stamens 5; ovary ovoid. Utricles enclosed by staminal tube, 3-4 mm. Seeds lenticular, ± circular in outline, 1 mm diam., glossy.

Flowering summer. Manganese ore piles; 10 m; introduced; Md.; South Africa.

See C. F. Reed (1961) for evidently the only known occurrence of this species in the flora.