Practical
Plants

Tagetes erecta

African Marigold

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Tagetes
Life cycle
annual
Height
1 m
Spread
0.4 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

The petals of the flowers of some varieties can be eaten[4]. The fresh receptacle is eaten by children[11]. A yellow dye obtained from the flowers can be used as a saffron substitute for colouring and flavouring foods[4]. The plant is used as a condiment[2]. (This probably refers to the use of the flowers as an edible dye)

Product or use
Colouring
Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Flowers

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The whole herb is anthelmintic, aromatic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative and stomachic[13][8]. It is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, colic, severe constipation[8], coughs and dysentery[7]. Externally, it is used to treat sores, ulcers, eczema. sore eyes and rheumatism[7][8][10][11]. The leaves are harvested as required for immediate use during the growing season, whilst the flowering plant can be dried and stored for later use[8]. A paste of the leavs is applied externally to treat boils, carbuncles and earaches[11]. The flowers are carminitive, diuretic and vermifuge[11]. A decoction is used to treat colds, and mumps[7]. It is applied externally to trea skin diseases, conjunctivitis and sore eyes[7][11]. The root is laxative[11].

Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Laxative

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. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing[6]. The flower petals also have nematacidal properties[7]. The growing plant is also said to repel insects and can be grown amongst crops such as potatoes and tomatoes. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[1][10].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Southern N. America - Mexico.
Habitat
Grows in the pine-oak forest zone[3]. A garden escape in the USA where it grows along the sides of roads[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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.

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[5]. Although not very frost resistant, it can be grown as a tender annual in Britain, sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the spring and planting out after the last expected frosts. The flowers are often sold in local markets in Nepal and used as an offering to the Gods[11]. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[4]. The cultivar 'Yellow Climax' has mild flavoured edible flowers that can be used as colourful garnishes[4]. All parts of the plant emit an unpleasant smell similar to that of stale urine when they are bruised[9]. Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[5]. Plants are prone to attacks by slugs, snails and botrytis[5].

References

  1. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

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  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  3. Pesman. M. W. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S. King. Arizona. 1962-00-00

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  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  7. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  11. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  12. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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