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Tagetes tenuifolia - Cav.

Common Name Lemon Marigold, Striped Mexican Marigold, Signet Marigold
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 2-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range C. and S. America - Mexico to Guatemala.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Tagetes tenuifolia Lemon Marigold, Striped Mexican Marigold, Signet Marigold


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Amada44
Tagetes tenuifolia Lemon Marigold, Striped Mexican Marigold, Signet Marigold
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Amada44

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Tagetes tenuifolia is a ANNUAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. signata.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The flowers of some cultivars have a pleasant citrus-like flavour and can be used sparingly as a flavouring in salads, sandwiches, wines etc or used as a garnish[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Companion

Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Specimen. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[183]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, Fragrant foliage, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers. Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs, they also have an effect against some persistent weeds such as couch grass[[18, 20, 200]. The plant also has an effect on asparagus beetle and bean weevils. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[169]. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[188]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[183]. The bruised foliage is perhaps more refreshingly aromatic than any other plant[245]. The lemon verbena-like smell remaining on the fingers for an hour or more after touching the plant[245]. Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[188]. Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[188]. Grows well with tomatoes[20].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow March 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Chiapas, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Tlaxcala, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, Yucatán) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Tagetes erectaAfrican Marigold, Aztec marigold, Big Marigold, American MarigoldAnnual1.0 2-11 MLMHNDM333
Tagetes filifoliaIrish LaceAnnual0.4 8-11  LMHNDM102
Tagetes lucidaMexican Tarragon, Sweetscented marigoldPerennial0.8 8-11  LMHNDM433
Tagetes micranthaLicorice marigoldAnnual0.3 7-9  LMHNDM013
Tagetes minutaMuster-John-HenryAnnual1.2 8-11  LMHNDM223
Tagetes patulaFrench Marigold, Dwarf French MarigoldAnnual0.5 2-11 MLMHNDM224

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Cav.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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