Tagetes patula
| Tagetes patula | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Tagetes patula (common name: french marigold)
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[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[2].
A very ornamental plant[3], there are many named varieties[2].
A good butterfly plant[4].
Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[2].
The bruised leaves emit a refreshing pungent smell[5].
Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[2].
The French marigold is often used as a companion plant, especially for growing amongst tomatoes and potatoes where it helps to repel pests[6]. See 'Other uses' below for more details.
Range: Southern N. America - Mexico.
Habitat: The pine-oak forest zone[7]. Naturalized in California where it grows on waste ground[8].
Edibility: The flowers are used in refreshing drinks[9][10].
The leaves are used as a food flavouring[10][6]. No further details are given.
The essential oil is used as a food flavouring, though it is inferior to the oil obtained from T. minuta[6].
The dried flowers are an adulterant of saffron(Crocus sativus), used for colouring foods yellow[10][6].
Medicinal: The whole herb is aromatic, digestive, diuretic and sedative[6]. It is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, colic, severe constipation[6], coughs and dysentery[11]. Externally, it is used to treat sore eyes and rheumatism[6]. 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[6].
Usage: Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs[12][13][1][11]. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing[1].
The whole plant is harvested when in flower and distilled for its essential oil[11][6].The oil is used in perfumery, it is blended with sandalwood oil to produce 'attar genda' perfume[6]. About 35 kilos of oil can be extracted from 1 hectare of the plant (yielding 2,500 kilos of flowers and 25,000 kilos of herbage)[11].
The whole plant contains substances that are toxic to cockroaches[11].
The growing plant repels whitefly and can be grown near tomatoes to keep that crop free of the insect[12][13].
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[14]. It is used to colour foods and textiles[6]. The flowers are sometimes used as an adulterant of saffron (obtained from Crocus sativus)[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Pesman, M. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S King, 1962.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.