Tagetes minuta
Muster-John-Henry
an annual member of the Tagetes genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Tagetes
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Spread
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
This species has an irritant sap that can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[4].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The dried leaves are used as an aromatic seasoning for soups and vegetables[1]. They give an apple-like flavour[4]. An essential oil obtained from the distilled plant, harvested when in flower, is used as a flavouring in ice cream, baked goods, soft drinks etc[1][4].
- Product or use
- Condiment
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The whole plant is anthelmintic, antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, diuretic, purgative and stomachic[7][4]. It is used internally in the treatment of gastritis, indigestion and internal worms[4]. Externally, it is used to treat haemorrhoids and skin infections[4]. The plant is harvested when in flower and dried for later use[4].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Aromatic
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
This plant is widely used in companion planting schemes[4]. 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[3]. These root secretions also have a herbicidal effect, inhibiting the growth of certain plants growing nearby. It has been found effective against perennial weeds such as Ranunculus ficaria (Celandine), Aegopodium podagraria Ground elder), Glechoma hederacea (Ground ivy), Agropyron repens (Couch grass) and Convolvulus arvensis (Field bindweed)[3][4]. An essential oil distilled from the leaves and flowering stems, harvested when the plant is forming seeds, is used as an insect repellent[5][7]. It is also used in perfumery[4]. Dried plants can be hung indoors as an insect repellent[4].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Essential
- Product or use
- Herbicide
- Product or use
- Insecticide
- Product or use
- Repellent
Environment
- Range
- S. America. Naturalized in S. Europe[6].
- Habitat
- Waste places and cultivated ground in S. Europe[6].
- 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[2]. Plants are not very resistant to frosts and need to be grown as half hardy annuals. They also need a long growing season, usually flowering too late in the autumn to set seed in Britain[K]. Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[2]. A very good companion plant, see 'Other Uses' below for more details[4]. Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[2].
References
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202