Tagetes patula

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French marigold

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Tageteae
Genus: Tagetes
Species: T. patula
Binomial name
Tagetes patula
L.
Synonyms

Tagetes corymbosa Sweet [1]
Tagetes lunulata Ortega [2]
Tagetes remotiflora Kunze [1]
Tagetes signata Bartling[1]
Tagetes tenuifolia Millsp.[1]

The French marigold (Tagetes patula) is a species in the daisy family (Asteraceae).

Contents

[edit] Location and climate

The French marigold is native to Mexico and Nicaragua.[2] In addition, it has been cultivated in Europe and the United States for its flowers and medicinal properties.

The plant can grow in soil types from sand to clay, but requires well-drained soil. It is hardy to zone 9, is frost tender, and cannot grow in the shade.

[edit] Physical characteristics

The flower is an annual, growing to 0.5m by 0.3m. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. They are noted for attracting wildlife.

[edit] Uses

[edit] Colouring

In addition to colouring foods, yellow dye from the flowers is also used to colour textiles.

[edit] Fragrance

The whole plant is harvested when in flower and distilled for its essential oil. The oil is used in perfumery; it is blended with sandalwood oil to produce 'attar genda' perfume. About 35 kilograms of oil can be extracted from 1 hectare of the plant (yielding 2,500 kg of flowers and 25,000 kg of herbage). The oil is also being investigated for antifungal activity, including treatment of candidiasis[3] and treating fungal infections in plants.[4][5]

[edit] Religion

Considered by persons of the pagan belief to be a cleanser and a fragrance of worship. Often used in rituals and worn by those of higher class (near god-like status). Can be worn by some as a sign of mourning. The pungent smell often irritates the sinuses and can be considered invasive by some.


[edit] References

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  1. ^ a b c d USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. PLANTS Database. Retrieved on 2007-09-04.
  2. ^ a b USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) Online Database, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.. Retrieved on 2007-09-04.
  3. ^ B. K. Dutta, S. Karmakar, A. Naglot, J. C. Aich and M. Begam (March 2007). "Anticandidial activity of some essential oils of a mega biodiversity hotspot in India". Mycoses 50 (2): 121–124. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0507.2006.01332.x. 
  4. ^ Mares D, Tosi B, Poli F, Andreotti E, Romagnoli C. (2004). "Antifungal activity of Tagetes patula extracts on some phytopathogenic fungi: ultrastructural evidence on Pythium ultimum". Microbiol Res. 159 (3): 295–304. doi:10.1016/j.micres.2004.06.001. PMID 15462529. 
  5. ^ C. Romagnoli1, R. Bruni, E. Andreotti, M. K. Rai, C. B. Vicentini and D. Mares (April, 2005). "Chemical characterization and antifungal activity of essential oil of capitula from wild Indian Tagetes patula L.". Protoplasma 225 (1-2): 57–65. doi:10.1007/s00709-005-0084-8. ISSN 1615-6102. 
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