Calendula officinalis Pot marigold (Compositae)

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Calendula officinalis
Pot marigold
(1 Page of 5)

The Calendula officinalis plant species is found in S. Europe. A garden escape in Britain[17]. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Pot marigold.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Calendula officinalis
Common Name:  Pot marigold
Family:  Compositae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.6   Mature Width:  0.5

Habitat:  The original habitat is obscure but it is found as a garden escape on waste, cultivated and arable land and along roadsides[200].

General Uses: The growing plant acts as an insect deterrent[14], it reduces the soil eelworm population[24]. The flowers are used cosmetically. They can be used in skin lotions and when added to hair shampoos will lighten the hair colour[244]. The flowers are an alternative ingredient of 'Quick Return' compost activator[32]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus shorten the time needed to make the compost[K]. A yellow dye is obtained from the boiled flowers[2, 4, 46]. An essential oil is obtained from the plant[7]. It is used rather sparingly, in view of the difficulty in obtaining it, in perfumes that have a rather sharp tang[7]. The flowers close when wet weather is likely to occur and they can therefore be used as a rough means of weather forecasting[7].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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