Celosia, also known as cockscomb and woolflowers and a cousin of the amaranth flower, are beautiful flowers in a range of deep and rich colors. They are particularly interesting to me because there are two distinctive shapes of celosia. One variety is very plume-like and almost looks like a flame, so it makes sense that the name celosia is derived from the Greek keleos which means burned.
However, the other shape of celosia is more like a ruffle that folds back into itself.
Either would make a lovely addition to a bouquet because of the unique texture they bring to the party. Celosia in the language of flowers means joyous, uncomplicated affection and silliness. Sounds like a great combo to me!
By Candlelight
By Edith Sitwell
Houses red as flower of bean,
Flickering leaves and shadows lean!
Pantalone, like a parrot,
Sat and grumbled in the garret—
Sat and growled and grumbled till
Moon upon the window-sill
Like a red geranium
Scented his bald cranium.
Said Brighella, meaning well:
“Pack your box and—go to Hell!
Heat will cure your rheumatism!” . . .
Silence crowned this optimism—
Not a sound and not a wail:
But the fire (lush leafy vales)
Watched the angry feathers fly.
Pantalone ’gan to cry—
Could not, would not, pack his box!
Shadows (curtseying hens and cocks)
Pecking in the attic gloom
Tried to smother his tail-plume . . .
Till a cockscomb candle-flame
Crowing loudly, died: Dawn came.
(Not actually about the flower cockscomb but this was the closest I could find ☺)
XOXO Rachel
