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Marigold

What is marigold?

· Sarah Mitchell

Key facts

Genus Tagetes[1]
Family Asteraceae[5]
Species count about 50 species[5]
Flower colors yellow, orange, or maroon[1]
Also refers to pot marigold, genus Calendula[2]
Native range southwestern North America, tropical America, and South America[5]

Marigold is a common name for flowering plants, mainly species in the genus *Tagetes*, and also *Calendula* (pot marigold). These plants are known for yellow, orange, or maroon flowers and are widely used as ornamentals. The name can also apply to unrelated plants sharing the common name, so the exact plant depends on the source. [1] [5]

Context

Marigold is a common name for several flowering plants, especially species in the genus *Tagetes* and also *Calendula* (pot marigold). It is used for plants with yellow, orange, or maroon flowers, and sometimes for unrelated plants that share the common name. [1] [5] The genus *Tagetes* belongs to the family Asteraceae and includes about 50 species native to southwestern North America, tropical America, and South America. [5] Marigolds are widely used as ornamental plants, with cultivated species including African marigold (*Tagetes erecta*) and French marigold (*Tagetes patula*). [2] [4] Some *Tagetes* marigolds have strong-scented foliage. [3] The term can also refer to pot marigold (*Calendula officinalis*) and other unrelated plants called marigold. [2] [5]

Documented claims

  • Marigold is used as an ornamental plant. [4]
  • Cultivated species include African marigold (Tagetes erecta) and French marigold (Tagetes patula). [2]
  • Some Tagetes marigolds have strong-scented foliage. [3]

Questions and answers

What is so special about marigolds?

Marigolds are special for their bright yellow, orange, or maroon flowers and their use as ornamental plants. [1] [4] They belong to the genus *Tagetes* and are also known as pot marigold (*Calendula*). [5]

What do marigolds get rid of?

The sources do not specify what marigolds get rid of. They are mainly noted for ornamental use and strong-scented foliage in some *Tagetes* species. [3] [4]

What do marigolds symbolize?

The sources do not mention symbolism for marigolds. They focus on the plants' classification, colors, and ornamental use. [1] [5]

What are the medicinal uses of marigolds?

The sources do not describe medicinal uses for marigolds. They cover the plants' definition, species, and ornamental role. [1] [5]

Sources

  1. Tagetes (Marigold) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — plants.ces.ncsu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. MARIGOLD Definition & Meaning — merriam-webster.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. MARIGOLD Definition & Meaning — dictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. marigold — dictionary.cambridge.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. definition of marigold — freedictionary.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Things