Calendula common names
- Subject: Calendula common names
- From: p*@att.net
- Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 05:07:55 +0000
To All,
Does anyone know why Calendula officinalis is called pot
marigold in England? The marigold part is clear--as
in "Mary's gold." I have always assumed that the pot
part refered to the use of the ray flowers in food--as
in "marigold of the cooking pot." However Allan
Armitage, in his new book on annuals, says it derives
from the use of the plants in containers. Possible, I
suppose, but I can't find any other references one way
or the other. Anyone know the answer?
And while I am at it, I understand that the flower is
called "souci des jardins" or just "souci" in French.
Does anyone have any idea how it got such a serious name
in France? It means care, worry, anxiety, or, as Google
translated it on one website "concern." Maybe for its
tendency to self sow and get seedy? I can't think of any
other reasons such a sunny flower might have that name.
I know this plant has a couple of dozen other common
names just in English, but I'm particularly curious
about these two names.
Pam Peirce
San Francisco, CA
