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Marigold
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Marigold

Tagetes erecta

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameMarigold
DescriptionCheerful annual producing masses of vibrant flowers in yellow, orange, gold, mahogany, and red from summer until frost. Blooms range from simple daisies to elaborate pom-poms. Pungent aromatic foliage releases distinctive scent when brushed. One of the easiest garden annuals, thriving in heat and drought. Deeply significant in Mexican and Hindu cultures - used in Day of the Dead celebrations and religious ceremonies. Valued as companion plant that repels pests and controls harmful soil nematodes.
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusTagetes
TribeTageteae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A(5) G(2)

Ebracteate, radially symmetrical, bisexual, 5 fused sepals forming calyx, 5 fused petals forming ray florets (or disc florets in center), 5 stamens fused into tube around style (syngenesious), 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary. Composite flower head (capitulum) characteristic of Asteraceae

Features
  • Name 'Marigold' from 'Mary's gold,' honoring Virgin Mary. 'Tagetes' honors Etruscan god Tages. In Mexico called 'Cempasúchil' or 'Flor de Muerto' (Flower of the Dead), essential for Day of the Dead altars. Aztecs used medicinally and ceremonially. About 50 Tagetes species
  • Flowers 1-5 inches (2.5-12 cm) across. Forms include single daisy-like, anemone-form, carnation-like doubles, or crested pom-poms. Colors from pale yellow through gold, orange, to deep mahogany-red, often bicolored. Blooms continuously late spring through frost (May-November)
  • Tender annual with upright branching stems. Finely divided fern-like leaves with strong pungent scent. Fast-growing, flowering in 6-8 weeks from seed. Self-cleaning. Roots release compounds that repel nematodes and insects. Dies with first hard frost
  • Size varies: French marigolds 6-12 inches (15-30 cm), African marigolds 1-3 feet (30-90 cm), signet marigolds 8-12 inches. Spread 6-18 inches. Lifespan one growing season. Propagated from seed (germinates 5-7 days). Self-sows in warm climates
  • Native to Mexico, Central America, southwestern United States. Found in grasslands, roadsides, disturbed areas. Cultivated worldwide as ornamental and ceremonial flower. Naturalized in warm regions globally. Introduced to Europe by Spanish conquistadors in 16th century
  • Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) for best flowering. Thrives in heat, tolerates drought once established. Adapts to most well-drained soils, even poor soil. Avoid overwatering. Deadhead for continuous flowering. Zones 2-11 as annual
  • Excellent companion plant - repels aphids, whiteflies, other pests. Roots control harmful nematodes in soil. Flowers edible, used as garnish and natural food coloring (saffron substitute). Petals make yellow-orange dye. Used in traditional medicine for skin conditions and eye health
  • Essential for Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations - believed to guide spirits with bright color and scent. Sacred in Hinduism, offered to deities during festivals, especially Diwali. Used in wedding garlands across Asia. Attracts butterflies and bees. Deer resistant. Symbolizes passion and remembrance

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificTagetes erecta
English (Alternate)African Marigold, French Marigold, Mexican Marigold, Aztec Marigold, Flor de Muerto, Cempasúchil
Hindiगेंदा (Genda), गेंदे का फूल (Gende ka phool)
Tamilசாமந்தி பூ (Saamandhi poo), செவ்வந்தி பூ (Sevvandhi poo), தும்பைப்பூ (Thumbaipoo)
Teluguబంతి పువ్వు (Banti puvvu), మంజరి (Manjari), బంట పువ్వు (Banta Puvvu)
Malayalamചെണ്ടുമല്ലി (Chendumalli), തുളസിമല്ലി (Thulasimalli)
Kannadaಚೆಂಡು ಹೂವು (Chendu hoovu), ಗೇಂದಾ ಹೂವು (Genda hoovu), ಬಂಟಿ ಹೂವು (Banti Hoovu)
Sanskritगंधपुष्पम् (Gandhapushpam), गेंदा (Genda), सप्तपर्णिका (Saptaparnika), स्थूलपुष्प (Sthulapushpa)
Bengaliগাঁদা ফুল (Ganda phool), গাঁদা (Ganda), গন্ধা (Gandha)
FrenchSouci, Œillet d'Inde, Rose d'Inde, Tagète
RussianБархатцы (Barkhattsy), Тагетес (Tagetes), Ноготки (Nogotki)
SpanishCaléndula, Clavel de moro, Cempasúchil, Flor de muerto
GermanStudentenblume, Tagetes, Sammetblume

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.