Celosia, Wheatstraw Celosia 'Flamingo Feather Purple'

Known as "Lagos Spinach" in West Africa, this ornamental and nutritious leafy green is easy to grow in rich soil, just add lots of sunlig...Read Moreht and moisture. Once they get started, young plants grow quickly, and it during this time of vegetative growth that leaves can be harvested for culinary use. Grown as an outdoor annual in more temperate climates, it is said this species is perennial in the tropics.
What I've found particularly amusing about this plant is the strange effect the bright pinkish inflorescence has on carpenter bees. Aside from being extremely attractive to them, once the bees begin harvesting the nectar, they begin to behave sluggishly, eventually appearing to fall into a stupor. They tend to remain stationary on the flower stalks for hours at a time, and even overnight.