 |
| From-pixabay |
Kingdom-Plantae
Order-Asterales
Family-Asteraceae
Genus-Calendula
Species-C. officinalis
It is also known as the Scotch marigold, Mary's gold, ruddles, and pot marigold. Although its lengthy history of cultivation renders its specific origin obscure, it is most likely native to southern Europe and may have garden origins. Additionally, it has spread significantly throughout other warm temperate parts of the world and farther north in Europe.
Description
It is a short-lived scented herbaceous perennial that reaches a height of 80 cm and has slack or erect stems with few branches. The leaves are 5–17 cm long, oblong-lanceolate, hairy on both sides, and have whole or sporadic wavy or weakly serrated margins. The inflorescences are yellow and feature two rows of hairy bracts encircling a thick capitulum or flowerhead that is 4–7 cm in diameter; on the wild plant, they also have a single ring of ray florets that encircle the centre disc florets. In general, the disc florets are more intensely orange-yellow in colour than the female, tridentate, peripheral ray florets because they are tubular and hermaphrodite. Where the conditions are right, flowers may bloom all year. The fruit is a curled, prickly achene.The caterpillars of various Lepidoptera species, such as the cabbage moth, gothic moth, huge yellow underwing, and setaceous Hebrew character, consume it as food plants.
Cultivation
The herb calendula officinalis is widely grown and is simple to grow in sunny areas with most types of soil. Although it is perennial, it is frequently treated as an annual, especially in colder areas where it has a low chance of surviving the winter and hot summer climates where it also fails to survive.
Given their tolerance of most soil types, it is regarded by many gardening experts as one of the simplest and most adaptable flowers to cultivate in a garden. In temperate regions, seeds are sown in the spring to produce blooms that persist well into the fall. Seeds are sown in the fall for winter colour in regions with little winter freezing. In subtropical summer, plants will winter.
Although seeds will readily sprout in sunny or partially sunny sites, plants grow best in sunny spots with rich, well-drained soil. Bright yellows, golds, and oranges are the usual bloom colours of pot marigolds, which normally bloom from seed in under two months.
The leaves are simple, spirally organised, and 5 to 18 cm long. The flower heads are 3–7 cm across, with disc and ray florets, and range in colour from pale yellow to deep orange. The majority of cultivars smell spicy. To ensure even blossom production, it is advised to deadhead the plants frequently.Many cultivars have been chosen for their variance in flower colour, ranging from pale yellow to orange-red, and for their "double" or "semi-double" flowerheads, in which ray florets take the place of some or all disc florets. Examples include "Alpha," which is deep orange, "Jane Harmony," "Sun Glow," "Lemon," "Orange Prince," which is orange, "Indian Prince," which is dark orange-red, "Pink Surprise," which has double flowers with inner florets that are darker than outer flowers, "Green-heart Gold," which is double and bright yellow, "Apricot Pygmy," which is double and light peach, and "Chrysantha" (yellow, double). A cultivar called "Variegata" has leaves with yellow variegation.The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded the cultivar group "Fiesta Gitana" its Award of Garden Merit.
Uses
The florets of pot marigold are edible. They are frequently used as a garnish in place of saffron or to add colour to salads and other foods. Although edible, the leaves are frequently unpleasant to eat. They have a long history of use in salads and as a potherb. Tea can also be made from the plant.
Ancient Greek, Roman, Middle Eastern, and Indian societies employed flowers as a healing herb as well as a dye for clothing, food, and cosmetics. Additionally used to create skin-protective oil. Marigold leaves can also be put into a poultice, which is thought to speed up the healing process and prevent infection in scratches and small cuts. Eye drops have also been made with it.
0 Comments