Family: Amaranthaceae
Celosia trigyna (woolflower, silver spinach) is a glabrous annual herb native to tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In Nigeria, it is a staple in soups, sauces, and stews, while also serving as a traditional medicine across many African countries to address issues like sores, chest pains, diarrhea, and menstrual cramps. Despite being reported as naturalized in the continental U.S. and Cabo Verde islands, there is no evidence of the plant in the Hawaiian Islands. The potential risk to Hawaiʻi arises from its wide elevational adaptability, easily dispersing seeds, and the capacity to infest orchards and plantations.
High Risk Traits:
- Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
- Thrives, and able to spread in regions with tropical climates
- Naturalized in the continental US and Cabo Verde islands, but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date
- A crop weed of cereals, cotton, orchards, plantations, pastures, and vegetables
- Other Celosia species are invasive
- Tolerates many soil types
- Reproduces by seeds
- Annual life cycle, reaching maturity in 90-120 days
- Seeds dispersed by gravity, water, and people (intentionally and accidentally)
Low Risk Traits:
- Despite common reports of weediness, impacts appear to be manageable
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Provides fodder for livestock
- Non-toxic
- Despite weediness, also valued as a vegetable and medicinal plant
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Herbicides may provide effective control
