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Tagetes patula
French marigold
(1 Page of 5)

 
The Tagetes patula plant species is found in Southern N. America - Mexico. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as French marigold.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
 
Latin Name:  Tagetes patula
Common Name:  French marigold
Family:  Compositae
Author:  L.
 
Known Hazards:  None known
 
Mature Height:  0.5   Mature Width:  0.3
 
Habitat:  The pine-oak forest zone[181]. Naturalized in California where it grows on waste ground[71].



General Uses:  Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nemotodes and to some extent against keeled slugs[18, 20, 200, 218]. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing[200]. The whole plant is harvested when in flower and distilled for its essentail oil[218, 238].The oil is used in perfumery, it is blended with sandalwood oil to produce 'attar genda' perfume[238]. About 35 kilos of oil can be extracted from 1 hectare of the plant (yielding 2,500 kilos of flowers and 25,000 kilos of herbage)[218]. The whole plant contains substances that are toxic to cockroaches[218]. The growing plant repels whitefly and can be grown near tomatoes to keep that crop free of the insect[18, 20]. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[169]. It is used to colour foods and textiles[238]. The flowers are sometimes used as an adulterant of saffron (obtained from Crocus sativus)[238].

For further Tagetes patula gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

 
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'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future

 


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