Tagetes () is a genus of 50 species of annual or perennial, mostly herbaceous plants in the family Asteraceae. They are among several groups of plants known in English as marigolds. The genus Tagetes was formally named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Linnaeus cited Joseph Pitton de Tournefort (1700), Johann Jacob Dillenius (1732), Gaspard Bauhin (1623) and Fabio Colonna (1606) as authors who used the name 'Tagetes' before. In 1754 he published the formal description in his Genera Plantarum, referring to Tournefort, Sébastien Vaillant (1720) and Dillenius for the name 'Tagetes'.

Originally called cempōhualxōchitl, by the Nahua people, these plants are native to Central and Southern Mexico and several other Latin American countries. Some species have become naturalized around the world. One species, T. minuta, is considered a noxious invasive species in some areas.

Depending on the species, Tagetes species grow well in almost any sort of soil. Most horticultural selections grow best in soil with good drainage, and some cultivars are known to have good tolerance to drought.

Nomenclature

The Latin Tagētes terrestis derives from the Tages in Etruscan mythology, born from plowing the earth. It likely refers to the ease with which plants of this genus come out each year either by the seeds produced in the previous year, or by the stems which regrow from the stump already in place.

The common name in English, marigold, is derived from Mary's gold in honor of the Virgin Mary, a name first applied to a similar plant native to Europe, Calendula officinalis.

The most commonly cultivated varieties of Tagetes are known variously as African marigolds (usually referring to cultivars and hybrids of Tagetes erecta), or French marigolds (usually referring to hybrids and cultivars of Tagetes patula, many of which were developed in France). The so-called signet marigolds are hybrids derived mostly from Tagetes tenuifolia.

Cultivation and uses

thumb|left|Tagetes patula flower heads

Depending on the species, marigold foliage has a musky, pungent scent, though some varieties have been bred to be scentless. Due to antibacterial thiophenes exuded by the roots, Tagetes should not be planted near any legume crop. Some of the perennial species are deer-, rabbit-, rodent- and javelina or peccary-resistant.

thumb|[[Gonepteryx rhamni sucking nectar]]

The florets of Tagetes erecta are rich in the orange-yellow carotenoid lutein and are used as a food colour (INS number E161b) in the European Union for foods such as pasta, vegetable oil, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, baked goods, confectionery, dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, citrus juice and mustard. In the United States, however, the powders and extracts are only approved as colorants in animal feed.

Marigolds are recorded as a food plant for some Lepidoptera caterpillars including the dot moth, and a nectar source for other butterflies and bumblebees. They are often part of butterfly gardening plantings. In the wild, many species are pollinated by beetles.

Tagetes minuta

Tagetes minuta, native to southern South America, is a tall, upright marigold plant with small flowers used as a culinary herb in Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Chile and Bolivia, where it is called by the Incan term huacatay. The paste is used to make the popular potato dish called ocopa. Having both "green" and "yellow/orange" notes, the taste and odor of fresh T. minuta is like a mixture of sweet basil, tarragon, mint and citrus.

It is also used as a medicinal tea for gastrointestinal complaints and specifically against nematodes.

Tagetes erecta

Tagetes erecta is widely used in Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico.

Tagetes – various species

thumb|upright|Marigolds decorating a grave for [[Day of the Dead in Mexico]]In Bangladesh, India and other South Asian countries, marigold is used for ornamentation purposes in functions like the turmeric ceremony, weddings, Pohela Falgun and other functions. During the colonial period the native varieties of these flowers were replaced by American species like T. erecta, T. patula and T. tenuifolia. The marigold is also widely cultivated in India and Thailand, particularly the species T. erecta, Tagetes patula and T. tenuifolia. It is always sold in the markets for daily rituals. Vast quantities of marigolds are used in garlands and decoration for weddings, festivals, and religious events. Marigold cultivation is extensively seen in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh (for the Vijayadashami and Diwali markets) states of India.

In Ukraine, chornobryvtsi (T. erecta, T. patula and the signet marigold, l. tenuifolia) are regarded as one of the national symbols, and are often mentioned in songs, poems and tales.

<!-- so? Other marigolds have other uses around the world.-->

Species

; Accepted species

<gallery>

File:Marigold.jpg|Yellow marigold

File:Marigold 2.jpg|A marigold flower head

File:Red_Marigold.jpg|Tagetes patula <br>(hybrid marigold)

Tagetes-DSCN2062.JPG|Tagetes patula

File:Tagetes Erecta-Flower 04.jpg|Tagetes erecta flower head

File:Tagetes Erecta-Flower 02.jpg|Tagetes erecta flower head

File:Tagetes-Marigold-Flower 08.jpg|Tagetes flower heads

File:Newly grown marigold (tagetes) plants.jpg|Newly grown plants (West Bengal, India).

File:Marigoldjf.JPG|'Maxima Yellow' (Philippines)

File:Marigold at lingaraj temple.jpg|Marigold varieties prepared as offerings to a god during the Hindu festival of Maha Shivaratri

File:Flor de ofrenda.JPG|Marigold on an altar in Mexico

File:Marigold flowers. Eastern Siberia.png|Flowering marigold plants (Eastern Siberia)

</gallery>

References

  • Marigold Commercial Greenhouse Production
  • Growing African Marigolds
  • North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox