TheronShifflett at 18:55, 3 March 2026

2026-03-03T18:55:10Z

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{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae}}
{{Speciesbox
|image=
|image2=Calendula officinalis, pot marigold.JPG
|image2_caption=[[UBC Botanical Garden]]
|image2_alt=Orange ''C. officinalis'' at the [[UBC Botanical Garden]]
|genus=Calendula
|species=officinalis
|authority=[[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
|synonyms_ref=<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-107206 |title=The Plant List, ''Calendula officinalis'' L. |access-date=2015-06-02 |archive-date=2023-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104234215/http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-107206 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|synonyms=
*''Calendula aurantiaca'' Kotschy ex Boiss.
*''Calendula eriocarpa'' DC.
*''Calendula hydruntina'' (Fiori) Lanza
*''Calendula prolifera'' Hort. ex Steud.
*''Calendula × santamariae'' Font Quer
*''Caltha officinalis'' (L.) Moench
}}

'''''Calendula officinalis''''', '''Mary's gold''', '''common marigold''', the '''pot marigold''', '''Scotch marigold''', or '''ruddles''',<ref name=GRIN>{{GRIN}}</ref> is a [[flowering plant]] in the daisy family, [[Asteraceae]]. It is probably native to southern Europe, but its long history of cultivation makes its precise origin unknown, and it is widely [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]]. The florets are [[edible flowers|edible]] and the plant has historically been used as medicine.

The names ''marigold'' and ''Mary's gold'' were given by the [[English people]] to honour [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Mary]], mother of [[Jesus]], who was said to wear "a crown of gold that circles the earth".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/m/marigolds-marys-gold.php |title=Marigolds: Mary's Gold |last=Samaha |first=John M. |website=All About Mary |publisher=[[University of Dayton]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419130406/https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/m/marigolds-marys-gold.php |archive-date=April 19, 2023 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Description==
''Calendula officinalis'' is a short-lived aromatic [[herbaceous]] [[perennial]], growing to {{cvt|80|cm|0}} tall, with sparsely branched lax or upright stems. The [[leaves]] are oblong-lanceolate, {{cvt|5-17|cm|0}} long, hairy on both sides, and with margins entire or occasionally waved or weakly toothed.

The [[inflorescence]]s are yellow or orange, comprising a thick [[Head (botany)|capitulum]] or flowerhead {{cvt|4–7|cm|frac=2}} diameter surrounded by two rows of hairy bracts. In the wild plant they have a single ring of ray florets surrounding the central [[disc floret]]s. The disc florets are tubular and [[Plant reproductive morphology|hermaphroditic]] and generally of a more intense orange-yellow color than the female, tridentate, peripheral ray florets. The flowers may appear all year long where conditions are suitable. The fruit is a thorny curved [[achene]].<ref name="rhs">''The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening'' 1: 462.</ref>

{{gallery|mode=packed
|Calendula officinalis 003.JPG|[[Infrutescence]]
|Calendula officinalis 004.JPG|Seeds
}}

=== Chemistry ===
The petals and pollen contain [[triterpenoid]] [[ester]]s, as well as [[carotenoid]]s [[flavoxanthin]] and [[auroxanthin]] (antioxidants and the source of the yellow-orange coloration). The leaves and stems contain other carotenoids, mostly [[lutein]] (80%), [[zeaxanthin]] (5%), and [[beta-carotene]].{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}

The flowers contain [[flavonol]] [[glycoside]]s, [[triterpene]] [[oligoglycoside]]s, [[oleanane]]-type triterpene glycosides, [[saponin]]s, and a [[sesquiterpene]] [[glucoside]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ukiya M |last2=Akihisa |last3=Yasukawa |last4=Tokuda |last5=Suzuki |last6=Kimura |year=2006 |title=Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor-promoting, and cytotoxic activities of constituents of pot marigold (''Calendula officinalis'') flowers |journal=J Nat Prod |volume=69 |issue=12 |pages=1692–1696 |doi=10.1021/np068016b |pmid=17190444 |bibcode=2006JNAtP..69.1692U }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Yoshikawa M |last2=Murakami |last3=Kishi |last4=Kageura |last5=Matsuda |year=2001 |title=Medicinal flowers. III. Marigold.(1): hypoglycemic, gastric emptying inhibitory, and gastroprotective principles and new oleanane-type triterpene oligolycosides, calendasaponins A, B, C, and D, from Egyptian ''Calendula officinalis'' |journal=Chem Pharm Bull |volume=49 |issue=7 |pages=863–70 |doi=10.1248/cpb.49.863 |pmid=11456093 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

== Taxonomy ==
The Latin [[specific epithet]] ''[[officinalis]]'' refers to the plant's medicinal and herbal uses.<ref name="RHSLG">{{cite book |last=Harrison |first=Lorraine |title=RHS Latin for Gardeners |publisher=Mitchell Beazley |year=2012 |isbn=978-1845337315 |location=United Kingdom}}</ref>

== Distribution and habitat ==
It is probably native to southern Europe, though its long history of cultivation makes its precise origin unknown. It is also widely [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] further north in Europe (as far north as [[southern England]]) and elsewhere in warm [[temperate]] regions of the world.<ref name="rhs" /><ref name="pfaf">{{cite web |date=June 2004 |title=''Calendula officinalis'' – L. |url=http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Calendula+officinalis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226161033/http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?calendula+officinalis |archive-date=2007-12-26 |access-date=2007-12-19 |work=Plants For A Future}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Flora of China, <big>金盏菊</big> jin zhan ju ''Calendula officinalis'' Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 921. 1753. |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=220002139 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502041916/http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=220002139 |archive-date=2015-05-02 |access-date=2015-06-02}}</ref><ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=220002139 Flora of North America, ''Calendula officinalis'' Linnaeus]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Altervista Flora Italiana, Calendola medicinale ''Calendula officinalis'' L. |url=http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/index1.php?scientific-name=calendula+officinalis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612044329/http://luirig.altervista.org/flora/taxa/index1.php?scientific-name=calendula+officinalis |archive-date=2015-06-12 |access-date=2015-06-02}}</ref>

== Ecology ==
Calendulas are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[cabbage moth]], [[Gothic (moth)|gothic moth]], [[large yellow underwing]], and [[setaceous Hebrew character]].

==Cultivation==
[[File:Indoor Asian breed.jpg|thumb|upright=.9|An Asian indoor breed]]

''Calendula officinalis'' is widely cultivated and can be grown easily in sunny locations in most kinds of soils. Although perennial, it is commonly treated as an [[annual plant|annual]], particularly in colder regions where its winter survival is poor, and in hot summer locations where it also does not survive.

Calendulas are considered by many gardening experts as among the easiest and most versatile flowers to grow in a garden, especially because they tolerate most soils. In temperate climates, seeds are sown in spring for blooms that last throughout the summer and well into the fall. In areas of limited winter freezing, seeds are sown in autumn for winter color. Plants will wither in subtropical summer. Seeds will germinate freely in sunny or half-sunny locations, but plants do best if planted in sunny locations with rich, well-drained soil. Pot marigolds typically bloom quickly from seed (in under two months) in bright yellows, golds, and oranges.

Most [[cultivar]]s have a spicy aroma. It is recommended to [[pruning|deadhead]] (remove dying flower heads) the plants regularly to maintain even blossom production.

===Cultivars===
[[File:Flower July 2013-2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|A double-flowered cultivar]]

Numerous cultivars have been selected to showcase a wide range of variations, spanning from pale yellow to orange-red, and with 'double' or 'semi-double' flowerheads with ray florets replacing some or all of the disc florets. Examples include 'Alpha' (deep orange), 'Jane Harmony', 'Sun Glow' (bright yellow), 'Lemon' (pale yellow), 'Orange Prince' (orange), 'Indian Prince' (dark orange-red), 'Pink Surprise' (double, with inner florets darker than outer florets), 'Green-heart Gold' (double, bright yellow), 'Apricot Pygmy' (double light peach) and 'Chrysantha' (yellow, double). Additionally, the cultivar 'Variegata' boasts yellow [[variegated]] leaves.<ref name=rhs/>

The cultivar group 'Fiesta Gitana' has been honoured with the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]].<ref name=RHSPF>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/106085/i-Calendula-officinalis-i-Fiesta-Gitana-Group/Details|title=RHS Plantfinder - ''Calendula officinalis'' Fiesta Gitana Group|access-date=12 January 2018|archive-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125193648/https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/106085/i-Calendula-officinalis-i-Fiesta-Gitana-Group/Details|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf |title=AGM Plants - Ornamental |date=July 2017 |page=13 |publisher=Royal Horticultural Society |access-date=6 February 2018 |archive-date=3 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503221317/https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Uses==
The florets are [[Edible flower|edible]]. They are often included in [[salads]]<ref name=":0" /> for their color or added to dishes as a garnish in lieu of [[saffron]]. While the leaves are also edible,{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}} they are generally not considered palatable, though historically they have been incorporated into [[potherb]] and salads. Additionally, the plant is utilized for making tea.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Lyle |first=Katie Letcher |url=https://archive.org/details/the-complete-guide-to-edible-wild-plants-mushrooms-fruits-and-nuts-finding-identifying-and-cooking/page/149/mode/2up |title=The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants, Mushrooms, Fruits, and Nuts: Finding, Identifying, and Cooking |publisher=[[FalconGuides]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4930-1864-2 |edition=3rd |location=Guilford, CN |pages=150 |orig-year=2004}}</ref>

Flowers were used in [[ancient Greek]], [[Ancient Rome|Roman]], [[Middle Eastern]], and [[India]]n cultures as a [[medicinal herb]], as well as a [[dye]] for fabrics, foods, and cosmetics.<ref name=pfaf/> Many of these uses persist today. They are also used to make an oil that is widely used in skin products.

Marigold leaves can also be made into a [[poultice]] that is believed to help scratches and shallow cuts to heal faster and to prevent infection.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Arana |first1=Lide |last2=Salado |first2=Clarisa |last3=Vega |first3=Sandra |last4=Aizpurua-Olaizola |first4=Oier |last5=Arada |first5=Igor de la |last6=Suarez |first6=Tatiana |last7=Usobiaga |first7=Aresatz |last8=Arrondo |first8=José Luis R. |last9=Alonso |first9=Alicia |date=2015-11-01 |title=Solid lipid nanoparticles for delivery of ''Calendula officinalis'' extract |journal=Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces |volume=135 |pages=18–26 |doi=10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.07.020 |pmid=26231862|url=https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/5028530 }}</ref> It has also been used in eye drops.<ref name=":0" />

Plant extracts are also widely used in cosmetics, presumably due to presence of compounds such as saponins, [[resin]]s, and [[essential oil]]s.<ref>{{cite web |author=National Institutes of Health |author-link=National Institutes of Health |title=''Calendula'' |url=https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/235.html |access-date=4 January 2025 |work=Herbs and Supplements |publisher=U.S. National Library of Medicine}}</ref> The flowers are a rich source of [[lutein]], containing 29.8 mg/100g.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Manke Natchigal |first1=A. |last2=Oliveira Stringheta |first2=A.C. |last3=Corrêa Bertoldi |first3=M. |last4=Stringheta |first4=P.C. |date=2012 |title=QUANTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LUTEIN FROM TAGETES (''TAGETES PATULA'' L.) AND CALENDULA (''CALENDULA OFFICINALIS'' L.) FLOWERS. |url=https://www.actahort.org/books/939/939_40.htm |url-status=dead |journal=Acta Hortic. |volume=939, 309-314 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514063851/https://www.actahort.org/books/939/939_40.htm |archive-date=14 May 2021 |access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref>

=== Potential pharmacology ===
Plant pharmacological studies have suggested that ''Calendula'' extracts may have anti-viral, anti-[[genotoxic]], and [[anti-inflammatory]] properties ''[[in vitro]]''.<ref name="Jimenez-Medina E 2006">{{cite journal |author=Jimenez-Medina E |year=2006 |title=A new extract of the plant ''Calendula officinalis'' produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation |journal=BMC Cancer |volume=6 |article-number=119 |doi=10.1186/1471-2407-6-119 |pmid=16677386 |pmc=1513589 |last2=Garcia-Lora |last3=Paco |last4=Algarra |last5=Collado |last6=Garrido |doi-access=free }}</ref> In an ''in vitro'' assay, the [[methanol]] extract of ''C. officinalis'' exhibited antibacterial activity and both the methanol and the [[ethanol]] extracts showed [[antifungal]] activities.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Efstratiou E |title=Antimicrobial activity of ''Calendula officinalis'' petal extracts against fungi, as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive clinical pathogens |journal=Complement Ther Clin Pract |year=2012 |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=173–176 |doi=10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.02.003 |pmid=22789794 |last2=Hussain |last3=Nigam |last4=Moore |last5=Ayub |last6=Rao}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite journal |last1=Aro |first1=A.A. |last2=Perez |first2=M.O. |last3=Vieira |first3=C.P. |title=Effect of ''Calendula Officinalis'' Cream on Achilles Tendon Healing |journal=The Anatomical Record |date=February 2015 |volume=298 |issue=2 |pages=428–435 |doi=10.1002/ar.23057 |pmid=25266273 |s2cid=25094028|doi-access=free}}

==External links==
*{{Commons-inline}}

{{Medicinal herbs & fungi}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q145930}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Calendula|officinalis]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Garden plants of Europe]]
[[Category:Inflorescence vegetables]]
[[Category:Leaf vegetables]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants of Europe]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]
[[Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Plant dyes]]

Calendula officinalis - Revision history

TheronShifflett at 18:55, 3 March 2026