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Tagetes lucida
  • Mexican Tarragon

a perennial member of the Tagetes genus in the family Compositae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Tagetes lucida has 0 edible uses listed
Tagetes lucida has 0 material uses listed
Tagetes lucida has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The leaves are dried and ground into a powder then used as a tarragon substitute for flavouring soups, sauces etc[1][2][3][4]. They have an anise-like flavour[238, K]. The leaves were an important flavouring of 'chocolatl', the foaming cocoa-based drink of the Aztecs[5].

The dried leaves and flowering tops are brewed into a pleasant anise-flavoured tea[4]. This is a very popular drink in Latin America[5].

The petals are used as a condiment[6].

Unknown part

Condiment
Tea

Material uses

Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs[7], they also have an effect against some persistent weeds such as couch grass[8]. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing[7]. The growing plant also has a repellent effect on various insect pests such as the asparagus beetle and bean weevils[8][9].

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[10].

The dried plant is burnt as an incense and to repel insects[5].

Unknown part

Dye
Herbicide
Incense
Insecticide
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves and whole plant are digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, narcotic, sedative and stimulant[3][11][7][5]. Use of the plant depresses the central nervous system, whilst it is also reputedly anaesthetic and hallucinogenic[5]. It is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, nausea, indigestion, colic, hiccups, malaria and feverish illnesses[5]. Externally, it is used to treat scorpion bites and to remove ticks[5]. The leaves can be harvested and used as required, whilst the whole plant is harvested when in flower and dried for later use[5].

Unknown part

Anaesthetic
Digestive
Diuretic
Febrifuge
Hallucinogenic
Hypotensive
Narcotic
Sedative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Basal cuttings in spring. Remove young shoots when about 5 - 10 cm tall, making sure to get as much of the underground stem as possible. Pot up into a sandy soil and keep in light shade until roots are formed, which usually takes 2- 3 weeks.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Tagetes lucida. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[12].

Plants in general are not very cold-hardy when grown outdoors in Britain, though some forms will survive outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. We have plants grown from seed collected in Oregon that have proved hardy to at least -5°c[K]. A very ornamental plant, there are some named varieties. 'Huichol' is a traditional clone used by the Huichol Indians that grows at an elevation of 1500 - 1800m in Mexico[4]. The blooms are amongst the most sweetly-scented of all flowers[13]. Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[12]. Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[12].

Grows well with tomatoes[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Tagetes lucida. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Tagetes lucida.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Tagetes lucida
Genus
Tagetes
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[3][11][7][5]
Material uses & Functions
[7][8][9][10][5]
Botanic
[7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.8 x 0.4 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Tagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. ()
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.005.015.025.035.045.055.065.075.085.095.10 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    11. ? 11.011.1 Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista ISBN 0-289-70864-8 (1979-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    13. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Tagetes_lucida&oldid=81179"
    Facts about "Tagetes lucida"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCompositae +
    Belongs to genusTagetes +
    Has binomial nameTagetes lucida +
    Has common nameMexican Tarragon +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partUnknown part +
    Has edible useCondiment + and Tea +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has imageTagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +, Herbicide +, Incense +, Insecticide + and Repellent +
    Has mature height0.8 +
    Has mature width0.4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnaesthetic +, Digestive +, Diuretic +, Febrifuge +, Hallucinogenic +, Hypotensive +, Narcotic + and Sedative +
    Has primary imageTagetes lucida (tagete luisante).JPG +
    Has search nametagetes lucida + and mexican tarragon +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameTagetes lucida +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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