Celosia schweinfurthiana

Why are the seeds of this species difficult? The seeds may have physiological dormancy, which can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat.

Celosia schweinfurthiana (Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Seed Storage

This species is likely to have Orthodox seeds (based on other species in the same genus) - dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20ºC, or as cool as possible.

Germination Requirements

Germinate on agar, germination paper or sand, under an alternating temperature regime of 35/20ºC (with an 8/16hr photoperiod).

The seeds of this species may be Physiologically Dormant (based on other species in the same genus). If germination is low, this type of seed dormancy can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat. Use a moist pre-chill or pre-heat treatment (depending on local climatic conditions) or a dry after-ripening treatment, before germinating the seeds on agar, germination paper or sand at their optimum temperature. If this does not work, you can perform delicate surgery to enable the embryo to grow. Excise the tissue near the root tip.

Seed Morphology

Celosia schweinfurthiana
(Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Taxonomy

Family: AMARANTHACEAE

Accepted name: Celosia schweinfurthiana Schinz

Synonyms: Celosia macrocarpa Lopr., Celosia oblongocarpa Schinz, Celosia schweinfurthiana var. sansibarensis Schinz

Common name:

References and Links

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1994). Genebank Standards. FAO/IPGRI, Rome, Italy.

AFPD (African Flowering Plants Database) - Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, Switzerland, and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, RSA: Celosia schweinfurthiana.
PROTAbase (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) - Wageningen, Netherlands: Celosia schweinfurthiana.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Celosia schweinfurthiana.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Celosia schweinfurthiana.