Tagetes Marigold is a genus of annual or perennial,
mostly herbaceous plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It was described
as a genus by Linnaeus in 1753.
The genus is native to North and South America, but some
species have become naturalized around the world.
The name Tagetes is from the name of the Etruscan Tages,
born from the plowing of the earth. It likely refers to the ease with which
plants of this genus come out each year either by the seeds produced in the
previous year, or by the stems which regrow from the stump already in place.
The common name in English, "marigold", is
derived from "Mary's gold", a name first applied to a similar plant
native to Europe, Calendula officinalis.
The most commonly cultivated varieties of Tagetes are
known variously as African marigolds (usually referring to cultivars and
hybrids of Tagetes erecta), or French marigolds (usually referring to hybrids
and cultivars of Tagetes patula, many of which were developed in France).
Depending on the species, marigold foliage has a musky,
pungent scent, though some varieties have been bred to be scentless. It is said
to deter some common insect pests, as well as nematodes. Tagetes species are
hence often used in companion planting for tomato, eggplant, chili pepper,
tobacco, and potato. Due to antibacterial thiophenes exuded by the roots,
Tagetes should not be planted near any legume crop. Some of the perennial
species are deer-, rabbit-, rodent- and javalina or peccary-resistant.
T. minuta (khakibush or huacatay), originally from South
America, has been used as a source of essential oil for the perfume and
industry known as tagette or "marigold oil", and as a flavourant in
the food and tobacco industries. It is commonly cultivated in South Africa,
where the species is also a useful pioneer plant in the reclamation of
disturbed land.
The florets of Tagetes erecta are rich in the
orange-yellow carotenoid lutein and are used as a food colour (INS-number
E161b) in the European Union for foods such as pasta, vegetable oil, margarine,
mayonnaise, salad dressing, baked goods, confectionery, dairy products, ice
cream, yogurt, citrus juice and mustard. In the United States, however, the
powders and extracts are only approved as colorants in poultry feed.
Marigolds are recorded as a food plant for some
Lepidoptera caterpillars including the dot moth, and a nectar source for other
butterflies. They are often part of butterfly gardening plantings. In the wild,
many species are pollinated by beetles.
Source: wikipedia
Our road trip has made us opting for this detour! 😍
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