| Menu list goes here |
Herbal Database Search Results
Back
to: Pathways Main Search
Page For Metaphysical uses
visit The Witchs Haven
Calendula officinalis
| Common name: |
Pot Marigold |
Family: |
Compositae |
| Author: |
L. |
Botanical references: |
200 |
| Synonyms: |
|
| Known Hazards: |
None known |
| Range: |
S. Europe. A garden escape in Britain[17]. |
| Habitat: |
The original habitat is obscure but it is found as a garden escape on waste, cultivated and arable land and along roadsides[200]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
3 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 5 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| C. officinalis var. prolifera[G]
Caltha officinalis[H]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Aklelmulk [E], Atunjaq [E], Calendula [H,E], Chin Chan Hua [E], China [E], Kamisha Bahar [E], Maravilla [E], Marigold [H], Mercadela [E], Oqhuwan [E], Pot Marigold [H,P,L], Pot-marigold [B], Qaraqus [E], Tibbi Nergis [E], To-Kinsen-Ka [E], Tuingoudsbloem [D], Virreina [E], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
officinalis = sold as an herb;
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA
Plants Database |
|
Order: Asterales. Renamed to Asteraceae -- Aster family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
Argentina; Chile; China; Iraq; Kurdistan; Mexico; Pakistan; Philippines; Spain; Trinidad; Turkey; Uruguay; Yugoslavia
|
Physical Characteristics
Annual growing to 0.6m by 0.5m . It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to November, and the seeds ripen from August to November. The scented flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
We rate it 3/5 for edibility and
5/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Cultivated Beds.Edible Uses
Colouring; Flowers; Leaves; Tea.
Leaves - raw[14, 21]. When eaten they first of all impart a viscid
sweetness, followed by a strong penetrating taste of a saline nature[4]. They
are very rich in vitamins and minerals and are similar to Taraxacum
officinale (Dandelion) in nutritional value[179].
Fresh petals are chopped and added to salads[183]. The dried petals have a
more concentrated flavour and are used as a seasoning in soups, cakes
etc[183]. High in vitamins A and C[218].
An edible yellow dye is obtained from the petals[46]. A saffron
substitute[21], it is used to colour and flavour rice, soups etc[2, 14, 27,
33]. It is also used as a hair rinse, adding golden tints to brown or auburn
hair[201].
A tea is made from the petals and flowers, that made from the petals is less
bitter[183].
There is no record of the seed being edible, but it contains up to 37%
protein and 46% oil[218].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Antiphlogistic; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Aperient; Astringent; Cholagogue; Diaphoretic; Emmenagogue; Homeopathy; Skin; Stimulant; Vulnerary; Warts.
Pot marigold is one of the best known and versatile herbs in Western
herbal medicine and is also a popular domestic remedy[4, 254]. It is, above
all, a remedy for skin problems and is applied externally to bites and
stings, sprains, wounds, sore eyes, varicose veins etc[4, 254]. It is also a
cleansing and detoxifying herb and is taken internally in treating fevers and
chronic infections[4, 254]. Only the common deep-orange flowered variety is
considered to be of medicinal value[4].
The whole plant, but especially the flowers and the leaves, is
antiphlogistic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aperient, astringent, cholagogue,
diaphoretic, emmenagogue, skin, stimulant and vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 21, 46, 165,
201]. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, they are best harvested in the
morning of a fine sunny day just after the dew has dried from them[4]. The
flowers are also used fresh or dried, for drying they are harvested when
fully open and need to be dried quickly in the shade[4].
A tea of the petals tones up the circulation and, taken regularly, can ease
varicose veins[201].
An application of the crushed stems to corns and warts will soon render them
easily removable[7].
The leaves, blossoms and buds are used to make a homeopathic remedy[232]. It
is used internally in order to speed the healing of wounds[232]. We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.
Other Uses
Compost; Cosmetic; Dye; Essential; Repellent; Weather forecasting.
The growing plant acts as an insect deterrent[14], it reduces the soil
eelworm population[24].
The flowers are used cosmetically. They can be used in skin lotions and when
added to hair shampoos will lighten the hair colour[244].
The flowers are an alternative ingredient of 'Quick Return' compost
activator[32]. This is a dried and powdered mixture of several herbs that can
be added to a compost heap in order to speed up bacterial activity and thus
shorten the time needed to make the compost[K].
A yellow dye is obtained from the boiled flowers[2, 4, 46].
An essential oil is obtained from the plant[7]. It is used rather sparingly,
in view of the difficulty in obtaining it, in perfumes that have a rather
sharp tang[7].
The flowers close when wet weather is likely to occur and they can therefore
be used as a rough means of weather forecasting[7].
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in any well-drained soil[200, 268],
though it prefers a good loam and requires a sunny or at least partially
sunny position[4, 15, 200, 268]. Plants flower best when they are grown in a
poor soil[108]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 8.3.
The pot marigold is a very ornamental plant that is commonly grown in the
flower garden, and occasionally as a culinary herb, there are some named
varieties[183]. When well-sited it usually self-sows freely and will maintain
itself if allowed[1, 4]. The flowers are sensitive to variations in
temperature and dampness, closing when it is dark and when rain is
expected[7, 244]. All parts of the plant are pungently scented[245].
The growing plant attracts hoverflies to the garden, the young of which are
fairly efficient eaters of aphids[24, 201]. The flowers are attractive to
bees[108]. Marigolds are good companion plants, they grow well with
tomatoes[14].
Cucumber mosaic disease and powdery mildew can cause problems with this
plant[188].
Propagation
Seed - sow in situ from spring to early summer and again in September.
The seed germinates best in darkness and usually within 1 - 2 weeks at
21°c[138]. The plant often self-sows freely.
Scent
-
Plant: Crushed
- All parts of the plant are pungently scented.
Cultivars
- ''
- No entries have been made for this species as yet.
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [V] Images
from the Vascular Plant Image Gallery of the Texas A&M Bioinformatics Working Group.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [S] Image
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for calendula officinalis (a possible synonym).
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
[14] Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
A good herbal.
[15] Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976 ISBN 0-273-00098-5
A small book with interesting ideas for edible plants in the ornamental garden.
[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[24] Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
[27] Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8
A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.
[32] Bruce. M. E. Commonsense Compost Making. Faber 1977 ISBN 0-571-09990-4
Excellent little booklet dealing with how to make compost by using herbs to activate the heap. Gives full details of the herbs that are used.
[33] Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960
Unusual vegetables that can be grown outdoors in Britain. A good guide.
[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
[108] International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981
The title says it all.
[138] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
An excellent small herbal.
[179] Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977
A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[232] Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990 ISBN 0-333-55581-3
A concise beginner's guide to the subject. Very readable.
[244] Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
[268] Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979 ISBN 0-85613-067-2
Excellent herbal with good concise information on over 400 herbs.
Readers Comments
Back to: Pathways Home page,
Main Search Page
Help
Bibliography
Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963 This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Calendula+officinalis
This page (US) http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Calendula+officinalis
|
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
(You can copy, distribute, display this works but: Attribution is required, its for Non-Commercial purposes, and it's Share Alike (GNUish/copyleft) i.e. has an identical license.)
We also ask that you let us know (michael@thewitchshaven.com) if
you link to, redistribute, make a derived work or do anything groovy with this information.
|
|
