Greek kelos—burnt, in reference to the burned appearance of the flowers of some species.
Annual and perennial, sometimes woody, herbs. Leaves simple, entire or lobed. Flowers bisexual, in dense spikes. Perianth segments 5, free. Stamens 5, fused at the base into a ring with projecting teeth by the anthers. Ovary 1-many ovules, stigmas 2-3. Fruit a capsule; seeds black, shining, often flattened, surface grooved or warty.
Flowers in large colourful plumes or velvety masses; filaments fused at the base; ovary with several ovules.
About 50 species of the tropics and subtropics, mostly Africa and America.
Grant (1962), Bose (1976).
Source: (1997). Amaranthaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
