Tagetes

Tagetes is a genus of 52 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae or Compositae). They are native to the area stretching from the southwestern United States into Mexico and south throughout South America.

They are known almost universally in North America as Marigold (not to be confused with the genus Calendula, which goes by the same name in some areas), or variously as Mexican marigolds (or cempasúchil), African marigolds (usually referring to cultivars and hybrids of T. erecta, although this species is not native to Africa), or French marigolds (usually referring to hybrids and cultivars of T. patula, many of which were developed in France although the species is not native to that country). At least one species is a naturalized weed in Africa, Hawaii, and Australia.

The different species vary in size from 0.05-2.2 m tall. They have pinnate green leaves, and white, golden, orange, yellow, to an almost red floral heads typically (0.1-) to 4-6 cm diameter, generally with both ray florets and disc florets.

The common name, "marigold", is derived from "Mary's Gold", and the plant is associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian stories.

The marigold was regarded as the flower of the dead in pre-Hispanic Mexico, parallel to the lily in Europe, and is still widely used in the Day of the Dead celebrations.

The marigold is also widely cultivated in India, particularly the species Tagetes erecta, Tagetes patula, and Tagetes tenuifolia. Vast quantities of marigolds are used in garlands and decoration for weddings, festivals, and religious events.


Some species
Tagetes erecta, the Mexican marigold, is a species of the genus Tagetes native to Mexico and Central America. In Mexico, this plant is found in the wild in the states of San Luis Potosí, Chiapas, State of México, Puebla, Sinaloa, Tlaxcala and Veracruz. This plant reaches heights of between 50 and 100 cm. The Aztecs gathered the wild plant as well as cultivating it for medicinal, ceremonial and decorative purposes.
Its flower, the cempasúchil is also called the Flower of the Dead in Mexico ("Flor de Muertos") and is used in the Día de los Muertos celebration every November 2nd. The word cempasúchil (also spelled cempazúchil) comes from the Nahuatl term for the flower zempoalxochitl, literally translated as "twenty flower".
Since prehispanic times, this plant has been used for medicinal purposes. It has been used to treat stomach ache, parasites, diarrhea, liver illnesses, vomiting, indigestion and toothache among other illnesses. Scientific study shows that thiophenes, natural phytochemicals that are include sulfur-containing rings, may be the active ingredients. They have been shown to kill gram negative and gram positive bacteria in vitro.

Tagetes lucida, also known as Mexican Mint Marigold, Mexican Tarragon, or Texas Tarragon, is a species of the genus Tagetes native to Mexico and Central America. It is eaten as an herb and is commonly used as a substitute for tarragon. It is also said, that when ingested in excessive amounts, strong Tagetes lucida tea can produce closed-eye visuals not unlike Peyote.

Tagetes patula - The French marigold is native to Mexico and Nicaragua. In addition, it has been cultivated in Europe and the United States for its flowers and medicinal properties. The flower is an annual, growing to 0.5m by 0.3m. It is in flower from July to October, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. They are noted for attracting wildlife.

Tagetes tenuifolia is a species of plant in the daisy family.

Tagetes lacera

Tagetes minuta

Tagetes filifolia

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