African marigold
Tagetes erecta

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 0.5-1 m tall. It grows from seed each year. The stems are angular and green. The leaves are deeply lobed. The lobes are along the stalk. They also have coarse, sharp teeth. The flower heads are single. They have long stalks and are yellow. The fruit is dry.

There are about 50 Tagetes species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in both temperate and warm countries. In Nepal it grows to about 2200 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Andaman Is., Asia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Britain, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Is., Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), Chad, China, Colombia, Cook Is., Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Gabon, Greece, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Korea, Laos, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mexico (country/location of origin), Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Rotuma, Russia, Samoa, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young leaves are boiled and eaten with fish sauces. The fresh receptacle is eaten by children. The dried flowers are used to colour butter and cheese. The flowers are some kinds can be eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers - colouring, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Aztec Marigold, Bantichettu, Cempasuchil, Chandumallige, Chendumalli, Dewali-pan, Ganduga, Genda, Gendu, Gul-jafari, Guljharo, Gultera, Kala-pan, Makerita, Makhanala, Makhmal, Mentok, Mir-kadomphui, Rajia-cha-phul, Rumena žametnica, Sandu, Sayapatri, Sbay rueng, Seemeshamantige, Sthulapushpa, Tangla, Te merikora, The thousand birthdays chrysanthemum, Tulukka-samandi, Wanshouju, Zendu

Synonyms

Tagetes corymbosa Sweet; Tagetes elongata Willd.; and others