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Common Name: African Marigold

General Information

Tagetes erecta is an annual plant that can grow up to 1.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - Mexico.

Habitat

Grows in the pine-oak forest zone[]. A garden escape in the USA where it grows along the sides of roads[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[].
Although not very frost resistant, it can be grown as a tender annual in Britain, sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the spring and planting out after the last expected frosts.
The flowers are often sold in local markets in Nepal and used as an offering to the Gods[].
A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[]. The cultivar 'Yellow Climax' has mild flavoured edible flowers that can be used as colourful garnishes[].
All parts of the plant emit an unpleasant smell similar to that of stale urine when they are bruised[].
Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[].
Plants are prone to attacks by slugs, snails and botrytis[].

Edible Uses

The petals of the flowers of some varieties can be eaten[]. The fresh receptacle is eaten by children[].
A yellow dye obtained from the flowers can be used as a saffron substitute for colouring and flavouring foods[].
The plant is used as a condiment[]. (This probably refers to the use of the flowers as an edible dye)

Medicinal

The whole herb is anthelmintic, aromatic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative and stomachic[, ]. It is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, colic, severe constipation[], coughs and dysentery[]. Externally, it is used to treat sores, ulcers, eczema. sore eyes and rheumatism[, , , ]. The leaves are harvested as required for immediate use during the growing season, whilst the flowering plant can be dried and stored for later use[].
A paste of the leavs is applied externally to treat boils, carbuncles and earaches[].
The flowers are carminitive, diuretic and vermifuge[]. A decoction is used to treat colds, and mumps[]. It is applied externally to trea skin diseases, conjunctivitis and sore eyes[, ].
The root is laxative[].

Other Uses

Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing[]. The flower petals also have nematacidal properties[]. The growing plant is also said to repel insects and can be grown amongst crops such as potatoes and tomatoes.
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.