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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

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