An Edible Celosia

What is not to like about this little beauty? This is Lagos Spinach (also known as Efo Shoko), a variety of Celosia argentea.

While we normally think of Celosia (Cockscomb) as an ornamental flowering annual, it is actually a food crop in parts of Africa and southern Asia. This variety has beautiful, purple splotched edible leaves that continue to produce after spinach has faded. We eat the leaves sautéed with onion and garlic, but they can also be used in soups, stir-fry or stews like other greens.

The pant eventually produces spiky, pink flowers that pollinators enjoy. They are great for cut or dried flowers, but in my opinion the leaves are not as tasty once the plant starts flowering. The flowers are great dried for winter flower arrangements.