Tagetes lucida Mexican tarragon (Compositae)

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Tagetes lucida
Mexican tarragon
(1 Page of 5)

The Tagetes lucida plant species is found in C. and S. America - Mexico to Guatamala. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Mexican tarragon.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Tagetes lucida
Common Name:  Mexican tarragon
Family:  Compositae
Author:  Cav.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  0.8   Mature Width:  0.4

Habitat:  Woods, hillsides and rocky slopes[192].

Edible Uses: The leaves are dried and ground into a powder then used as a tarragon substitute for flavouring soups, sauces etc[2, 27, 160, 183]. They have an anise-like flavour[238, K]. The leaves were an important flavouring of 'chocolatl', the foaming cocoa-based drink of the Aztecs[238]. The dried leaves and flowering tops are brewed into a pleasant anise-flavoured tea[183]. This is a very popular drink in Latin America[238]. The petals are used as a condiment[61].

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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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