''Tagetes tenuifolia'', the signet marigold, golden marigold or lemon marigold, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

of the wild marigold in the family

Asteraceae The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae w ...

. It is widespread across most of

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

as well as

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...

, and

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

. ''Tagetes tenuifolia'' is an annual herb sometimes reaching as much as tall. Leaves are less than long, deeply divided into many small parts. The plant produces many small bright yellow

flower heads A pseudanthium (Greek for "false flower"; ) is an inflorescence that resembles a flower. The word is sometimes used for other structures that are neither a true flower nor a true inflorescence. Examples of pseudanthia include flower heads, compos ...

in a flat-topped array, each head with five

ray florets The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae w ...

and 7–9

disc floret The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae w ...

Uses

Culinary

The plant's

edible flowers Edible flowers are flowers that can be consumed safely. Flowers may be eaten as vegetables as a main part of a meal, or may be used as herbs. Flowers are part of many regional cuisines, including Asian, European, and Middle Eastern cuisines.Lauderd ...

can be used as a garnish because of its lemon-like flavor.

Gardening

Marigolds are regarded as one of the easiest plants to grow. They are very hardy, and may survive minor frosts. The plant is well suited to a mostly sunny position, and fairly well draining soil. Overly fertile soil may cause the plants to become bushy and produce less flowers. Marigolds come in a variety of colours, but mostly yellows and oranges, flowering in the middle of Summer. They can be planted out when there's no more risk of frosts. They can be purchased from most nurseries, and seeds are readily available in stores. It is often used as a

companion plant Companion planting in gardening and agriculture is the planting of different crops in proximity for any of a number of different reasons, including pest control, pollination, providing habitat for beneficial insects, maximizing use of space, and ...

for its insect-repelling properties.

Other

Some species of ''Tagetes'' possess a characteristic scent, which repels insects such as mosquitoes, small animals and smaller, burrowing insects. ''Tagetes tenuifolia'' is one of these and is often planted near small creeks or puddle prone areas to repel bugs, especially mosquitoes. It was also found that the ''Tagetes tenuifolia'' contains thiophene which is a biocidal compound that acts as a natural pesticide to control nematodes in the field.

Traditional Medicine

Traditionally, the plants were decocted and used as a treatment for snakebites in Mexico, and the leaves were used as medicine for bruises in Peru. ''Tagetes tenuifolia'' could also be used as treatments for stomach flu in terms of indigestion, constipation, infant diarrhea.

References

External links

line drawing for Flora of Panama
{{Taxonbar, from=Q572693 tenuifolia Flora of Mexico Flora of Central America Flora of South America Plants described in 1793 Taxa named by Antonio José Cavanilles