Tagetes patula, the French marigold,
Some authorities regard Tagetes patula as a synonym of Tagetes erecta, the Mexican marigold.
Description
Tagetes patula is an
annual plant, occasionally reaching tall by wide. 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)
and are
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.
[Soule, J. A. 1993. "The Biosystematics of Tagetes" Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas] It can grow in both sandy and clay soils provided they have good
drainage. It requires full sun to partial shade.
Etymology
The Latin specific epithet
patula means 'with a spreading habit'.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to
Mexico and
Guatemala[ Rydberg, Per Axel 1913. in Britton, Nathaniel Lord, North American Flora 34: 154-155] with several naturalised populations in many other countries.
Cultivation
This plant is valued for its velvet-textured, brightly coloured blooms in shades of yellow, orange and russet in summer. It is shorter, and has a more spreading habit, than its relative the
Mexican marigold (
Tagetes erecta). It is therefore more suitable as an edging plant in the open border.
Moreau et al 2006 attempted to protect Solanum tuberosum (potato) against Leptinotarsa decemlineata (potato beetle) by intercropping with T. patula but instead found it acting as an attractant, resulting in greater infestation and lower yields. (They also found the same for another purported repellent, Armoracia rusticana.)
Tagetes patula is frost intolerant, given a Royal Horticultural Society hardiness rating of H2, capable of surviving temperatures of but killed by freezing temperatures.
Cultivars
Hundreds of cultivars have been developed, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-
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'Bonanza Flame'
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Bonanza Series
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'Dainty Marietta'
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'Disco Orange'
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'Disco Yellow'
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'Fireball'
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'Hero Orange'
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'Honeycomb'
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'Queen Sophia'
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'Safari Mixture'
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'Safari Scarlet'
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'Safari Tangerine'
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'Tiger Eyes'
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'Yellow Jacket'
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'Zenith Golden Yellow'
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'Zenith Lemon Yellow'
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'Zenith Yellow'
Uses
Culinary
The dried and ground flower petals constitute a popular spice in the Republic of Georgia in the
Caucasus, where they are known as imeruli shaphrani (= 'Imeretian Saffron') from their pungency and golden colour and particular popularity in the Western province of
Imereti. The spice imparts a unique, rather earthy flavour to
Georgian cuisine, in which it is considered especially compatible with the flavours of
cinnamon and
cloves. It is also an essential ingredient in the spice mixture
khmeli suneli (reputedly as significant to Georgian cuisine as
garam masala is to that of
North India).
[Goldstein D. 1993 "The Georgian Feast" HarperCollins]
Colouring
Tagetes patula florets are grown and harvested annually to add to poultry feed to help give the yolks a golden color. The florets can also be used to color human foods.
A golden yellow dye is used to color animal-based textiles (wool, silk) without a
mordant, but a mordant is needed for cotton and synthetic textiles.
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 of oil can be extracted from of the plant yielding of flowers and of herbage.
Other
Many cultures use medicinal infusions from dried leaves or florets.
Research also suggests that the essential oil has the ability to be used as residual
pesticide against
Bed bug.
The essential oil is being investigated for antifungal activity, including treatment of candidiasis
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