Tagetes erecta African Marigold PFAF Plant Database

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Tagetes erecta - L.

Common Name

African Marigold

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Synonyms

Tagetes major Gaertn.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Grows in the pine-oak forest zone[181]. A garden escape in the USA where it grows along the sides of roads[43].

Range

Southern N. America - Mexico.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Tagetes erecta is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower in July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tagetes_erecta_Blanco2.404b-cropped.jpg

http://www.hear.org/starr/

Habitats
Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers. Edible Uses: Colouring; Condiment. The petals of the flowers of some varieties can be eaten[183]. The fresh receptacle is eaten by children[272]. A yellow dye obtained from the flowers can be used as a saffron substitute for colouring and flavouring foods[183]. The plant is used as a condiment[177]. (This probably refers to the use of the flowers as an edible dye)

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Anthelmintic; Aromatic; Carminative; Digestive; Diuretic; Emmenagogue; Laxative; Ophthalmic; Sedative; Skin; Stomachic.

The whole herb is anthelmintic, aromatic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative and stomachic[61, 238]. It is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, colic, severe constipation[238], coughs and dysentery[218]. Externally, it is used to treat sores, ulcers, eczema. sore eyes and rheumatism[218, 238, 257, 272]. 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[238]. A paste of the leavs is applied externally to treat boils, carbuncles and earaches[272]. The flowers are carminitive, diuretic and vermifuge[272]. A decoction is used to treat colds, and mumps[218]. It is applied externally to trea skin diseases, conjunctivitis and sore eyes[218, 272]. The root is laxative[272].

Other Uses

Dye; Insecticide; Repellent.

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[200]. The flower petals also have nematacidal properties[218]. 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[169, 257].

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[188]. 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[272]. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[183]. The cultivar 'Yellow Climax' has mild flavoured edible flowers that can be used as colourful garnishes[183]. All parts of the plant emit an unpleasant smell similar to that of stale urine when they are bruised[245]. Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[188]. Plants are prone to attacks by slugs, snails and botrytis[188].

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.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
200

Links / References

[43]Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany.

A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[169]Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

Covers all aspects of growing your own clothes, from fibre plants to dyes.

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[181]Pesman. M. W. Meet Flora Mexicana.

Very readable flora but rather lacking botanically. A few notes on useful plants.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[188]Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers

Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218]Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China

Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

[257]Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany

Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

[272]Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal

Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
v n rao	Wed Nov 22 2006

thanks for the elobarate information Are there any companies to buy the marigold flowers for extracting pigment for cmmercial use? iam in INDIA .If yes may request for the adresses of such companies. Thanks

Elizabeth H.
mickconnolly	Fri Jun 15 2007

show specimen plant I live in Spain and have a plant /weed which has a most disgusting smell of urine.It is ground hugging prolific and invasive plant which stinks so much that our visitors think we are both incontinent.since we have never allowed this smelly invader to grow more than first sight will allow,we wondered could you give us some idea as to what it is called?

Elizabeth H.
Vital	Mon Oct 26 2009

The above described "ground hugging" plant with "a most disgusting smell of urine" certainly isn't Tagetes erecta. I don't think I can recall to ever have come across such a plant. I'm growing Tagetes erecta (var. Cracker Jack) for the petals, which are used to extract lutein and zeaxanthin (for supplements and nutraceuticals), which reportedly are critical antioxidant carotenoids for the macula of the eyes, and reduce age-related increase in the lens' density. The petals of the variety Cracker Jack are only slightly bitter, and thus OK to be eaten in small amounts on their own, added to a mixed salad, to a smoothie or most other foods.

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