Effect of Roadside Pollution on the Leaf Morphology of Celosia argentea

Celosia argentea (common name - plumed cockscomb or silver cock's comb) is a small edible and ornamental plant belonging to Family Amaranthaceae. In traditional medicine, all parts of the Celosia plant are used to treat a variety of conditions. The leaves and young stems of the Celosia plant are rich in iron, retinol, and ascorbic acid. The leaves are often used in stews and soups. In this study, the quantitative leaf traits such as leaf length, width, and area were analyzed to assess the impact of vehicular pollution on roadside vegetation. In the case of Celosia argentea, exposure to pollution resulted in changes in leaf morphology, including alterations in leaf shape, size, area, and colour. These alterations could be a result of the plant's adaptation, where smaller leaf size may serve as a survival mechanism to cope with the stress induced by pollution.