Earticle

Purpose: The seeds of Celosia argentea share close morphological similarities with other species in the Amaranthaceae family, leading to frequent misidentification and contamination in herbal medicine markets. This study aims to establish definitive morphological and micromorphological identification keys for C. argentea and four allied taxa (C. argentea var. cristata , Amaranthus tricolor , A. blitum subsp. oleraceus , and A. hybridus ) using stereomicroscopy to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicinal resources. Materials and Methods: A comparative analysis of the external morphological and micromorphological characteristics of C. argentea and four related Amaranthaceae species was conducted using stereomicroscopy. Results: C. argentea seeds measured an average of 1.25 mm in length and 1.01 mm in width, distinguished by a conspicuous polygonal reticulate surface pattern. Among the studied taxa, C. argentea var. cristata seeds were the largest (avg. 1.43 mm long, 1.66 mm wide), featuring slightly convex central regions and particularly distinct polygonal reticulate patterns. In contrast, the Amaranthus species were generally smaller and lacked prominent reticulation. A. tricolor (1.0 × 0.98 mm), A. blitum subsp. oleraceus (1.06 × 1.01 mm), and A. hybridus (0.95 × 0.90 mm) exhibited glossy surfaces with centrifugally arranged patterns and radial ridge-like projections along the lateral sides. Conclusion: The seeds of Celosia species exhibit a distinct polygonal reticulate surface pattern, whereas those of Amaranthus species are characterized by glossy surfaces and radial ridges. Within the genus, C. argentea var. cristata is easily distinguishable from C. argentea by its significantly larger seed size. These findings provide essential criteria for the accurate identification of these medicinal seeds.