Tagetes patula
| French marigold | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Tageteae |
| Genus: | Tagetes |
| Species: | T. patula |
| Binomial name | |
| Tagetes patula L. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Tagetes corymbosa Sweet [1] |
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The French marigold (Tagetes patula) is a species in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is native to the Americas with several naturalised populations around the world.
Physical characteristics
The flower is an annual, occasionally reaching 0.5 m by 0.3 m. In some climates it flowers from July to October. In its native habitat of the highlands of central Mexico, blooms are produced from September to killing frost. Achenes ripen and are shed within two weeks of the start of bloom. The heads contain mostly hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs) florets and are pollinated primarily by beetles in the wild, as well as by tachinid flies and other insects. The leaves of all species of marigold include oil glands. The oils are pungent. [3]
Uses
Used mainly as an edging plant on herbaceous borders, it is a low growing plant with flowers of blended red and yellow in most varieties. French Marigolds are commonly planted in butterfly gardens as a nectar source.
Medicinally, many cultures use infusions from dried leaves or florets. [4]
Colouring
Tagetes patula florets are added to poultry feed to help give the yolks a golden color. Hectares are grown and harvested annually for this purpose. The florets can also be used to color human foods.[5] A golden yellow dye is used to color animal based textiles (wool, silk) without a mordant, however a mordant is needed for cotton and synthetic textiles. [6]
Fragrance
The whole plant is harvested when in flower and distilled for its essential oil. The oil is used in perfumery; it is blended with sandalwood oil to produce 'attar genda' perfume. About 35 kilograms of oil can be extracted from 1 hectare of the plant (yielding 2,500 kg of flowers and 25,000 kg of herbage).
Other Uses
The essential oil is being investigated for antifungal activity, including treatment of candidiasis[7] and treating fungal infections in plants.[8][9]
Gardening
The plant is used in companion planting for many vegetable crops. Its root secretions are believed to kill nematodes in the soil and it is said to repel harmful insects, such as white fly amongst tomatoes.[10]
References
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Wikispecies has information related to: Tagetes patula |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tagetes patula |
- ^ a b c d USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. "PLANTS Database". Retrieved 2007-09-04.
- ^ USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. "Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) Online Database, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.". Retrieved 2007-09-04.
- ^ Soule, J. A. 1993. "The Biosystematics of Tagetes" Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas
- ^ Soule, J. A. 1993. "The Biosystematics of Tagetes" Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas
- ^ Soule, J. A. 1993. "The Biosystematics of Tagetes" Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas
- ^ Soule, J. A. 1993. "The Biosystematics of Tagetes" Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas
- ^ B. K. Dutta, S. Karmakar, A. Naglot, J. C. Aich and M. Begam (March 2007). "Anticandidial activity of some essential oils of a mega biodiversity hotspot in India". Mycoses 50 (2): 121–124. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0507.2006.01332.x. PMID 17305775.
- ^ Mares D, Tosi B, Poli F, Andreotti E, Romagnoli C. (2004). "Antifungal activity of Tagetes patula extracts on some phytopathogenic fungi: ultrastructural evidence on Pythium ultimum". Microbiol Res. 159 (3): 295–304. doi:10.1016/j.micres.2004.06.001. PMID 15462529.
- ^ C. Romagnoli1, R. Bruni, E. Andreotti, M. K. Rai, C. B. Vicentini and D. Mares (April 2005). "Chemical characterization and antifungal activity of essential oil of capitula from wild Indian Tagetes patula L.". Protoplasma 225 (1–2): 57–65. doi:10.1007/s00709-005-0084-8. PMID 15868213.
- ^ Sustainable Gardening Australia, Companion Planting [1] retrieved on 8 June 2009
