In the tapestry of horticulture, a particular shrub, known as the Crested Flower Tree, thrives within the vertical span of 40 to 70 centimeters. This botanical marvel derives its nomenclature from the singular appearance of its florets, reminiscent of the ornate crest adorning a gallus’s head. It parades a spectrum of foliage hues, extending from the conventional viridescence to the more rarefied shades of crimson and bronze. These leaves, assuming an ovate to lanceolate silhouette, reach maturation at lengths between 5 and 12 centimeters.
The floral exhibition of this arboreal gem encompasses a chromatic array spanning scarlet to fuchsia, lavender to amber. Its blooms, either solitary on their branches or clustered into spherical assemblies, ensure a perennial spectacle, with the zenith of their blooming phase occurring as winter wanes and spring emerges. The flora’s vibrancy promises to invigorate any domicile. The fruit, an amalgamation of oval and spherical geometries, harbors 8 to 10 seeds, each a glossy obsidian. Primarily, the Crested Flower Tree is cultivated for the visual delight it affords.
Optimal growth conditions for this species include locales bathed in warmth, moisture, and luminosity, while it remains imperative to shield it from the chill and waterlogged settings.
Diving into the diversity within the Crested Flowers genus reveals a plethora of types including the White Crested Cockles and the Yellow Crested Cockles, alongside the red Phoenix Tail Crests, each a testament to nature’s ingenuity.
Notably prevalent in Vietnam are the white and red variants of these crested blooms.
Belonging to the amaranth lineage, Celosia argentea stands as a testament to floral elegance, thriving as an annual within many a garden. The window for its most abundant flowering spans spring to early summer, with propagation reliant on seeds—a single ounce can contain up to 43,000 minuscule seeds. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, both foliage and flowers are edible, with the plant serving as a vegetable in regions of Africa and Southeast Asia.
The White Crest plant boasts a perennity, its smooth, straight stem branching out extensively to reach heights anywhere from 0.3 To 2 meters, though seldom exceeding a meter. Leaves, arranged alternately, are lanceolate, entire, and tapered at both ends, measuring 8-10 centimeters in length and 2-4 centimeters in width.
Celosia cristata L., Falling under the Amaranthaceae family, carries the monikers of red Crested Cockatoo, red Cockroach, Flowered Millet, and First Millet. This perennial grass, with its rigid stem and smooth branches, displays ovate leaves culminating in points. Flowers, in hues of red, yellow, or white, perch on pearly stalkless bases, concluding in wrinkled, splayed vessels. The fruit, whether ovoid or globular, encases 8 to 10 lustrous seeds, making the tree a favored choice for ornamental planting.
The Crested Flower, with its pleasing aesthetics and low maintenance, has found favor in gardens and parks alike. Known also as decorative flowers, Crested Plants are cultivated in containers year-round, adding festive allure during the Tet celebrations.
Culinary and medicinal applications of this plant are as varied as they are intriguing. In Mexico, crested cockles are cherished as a vegetable, and their seeds, when mixed with a sugary solution, become a staple in the local cuisine. Nepal enjoys Sattoo, a breakfast made from these seeds, while in Peru and Ecuador, Chicha beer, a fermented concoction utilizing the seeds, is popular.
Therapeutically, the plant is revered for its hemostatic and anti-dysentery properties. In Ecuador, a blend of gum and boiled seeds is believed to purify blood and regulate menstrual cycles.
Symbolically, the Crested Flower eschews the grandiose for a beauty that is both understated and profound, emblematic of selflessness and noble sacrifice. According to Feng Shui, displaying these flowers at home invites prosperity, harmony, and good fortune, with the purchase of red crested flowers between New Year and spring seen as a prayer for renewal and harmony.
For those aspiring to cultivate the Crested Flower Tree, any season may suffice, though winter and spring promise the most bountiful harvests. Transitioning from nursery bed to container is advised when the sapling attains a height of 6-7 cm, selecting only those free of pests and blemishes, with robust foliage. Although adaptable to various soils, a preference for loose, well-draining, fertile substrates with a pH between 6 and 6.5 is noted. A preparatory mix for the soil involves sand, manure, husk ash, and coir in a 2:1:1:0.5 Ratio, with each container requiring approximately 700 grams of this blend. The sapling is then nestled into a shallow excavation, covered with soil to encourage flourishing.