Re: Mexican Marigold

Typical problem with common names.
 
Virtually all the species of Tagetes that we grow at least semi-commonly in California are native to Mexico.  We call the annual species "marigolds", hence we've taken the name to the perennials and call them "Mexican Marigold", since, I suppose, the annual species are called "French Marigold" (Tagetes patula), "African Marigold" (Tagetes erecta) and even "Irish Marigold" (!; Tagetes tenuifolia).  Many flower breeders are trying to change the common names by calling most of these annual species "American Marigolds" (I'm not sure if that's being politically correct or, on the contrary, chauvinistic), especially the interspecific hybrids.
 
Around here, Tagetes lemmoni is commonly called "Copper Canyon Daisy"  more often than "Mexican Marigold".  It has a robust, dirty-minty-medicinal scent.  Some find it pleasant, others, including myself, find it unpleasant.
 
Tagetes nelsonii is rare here, hence the idea of a "common" name doesn't seem to be appropriate. Citrus-scented Marigold is one common name.  A nice scent.
 
Tagetes lucida is becoming more popular here and is going by the common name of "Mexican Tarragon" and "Mexican Mint".  A nice scent.
 
 
The original "marigold" is a plant from South Africa, our common calendula (Calendula).
 
Joe
 
Joseph Seals
Consultant
Arroyo Grande, California
Cell: 805-823-5696
New book: "Central Coast Gardening Essentials"
more info at: www.centralcoastkitchenandgarden.com
 

From: Dan Townley <dan@winterwarmfarm.net>
To: medit-plants <medit-plants@ucdavis.edu>
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2012 12:37 PM
Subject: Mexican Marigold

I am confused about the identity of several perennial Tagetes species commonly called Mexican Marigold.  A web search shows, for example T. lemmonii, T. nelsonii, T. lucida, T. erecta, etc. - sometimes with what appear to be the same pictures assigned to different species.

I had always thought that the commonly available (in southern California) Mexican Marigold was T. lemmonii, and that the less commonly found threadleaf version was T. nelsonii, but now am not certain.  Can anyone clarify these species or point me to a good web site?

Thanks,
Dan Townley


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