Field marigold
Calendula arvensis
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A herb. It is an annual plant. It grows 30 cm high and spreads 30 cm wide. In poor and dry areas it is smaller. The leaves are oblong and slightly downy. They do not have leaf stalks. The flowers are yellow or orange and 25 mm across. They grow singly at the ends of branches.
There are between 20 and 30 Calendula species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. In Bahrain it grows in gravelly soils. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt - Sinai, Europe, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Portugal, Sicily, Sinai, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay
How it is used for food
The young shoots and leaves are boiled and eaten. They are also used in stews. The flower heads are pickled. The leaves are used as a condiment for clarified butter.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, shoots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Calendula, Ciuri aranciu, Hanuwa, Jemra, Kinsen-ka, Margherita russa, Njivski ognjič, Pata gallina, Souci des Champs