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Pot marigold

How to identify Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Pot marigold, also known as Marigold, English Marigold, Hen-and-chickens, Ruddles

Pot marigold is distinguished by its showy, bright flowers that typically bloom through the growing season. The plant exhibits robust greenery, with leaves that have a slightly hairy texture. The daisy-like flowers can reach sizes of up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter, presenting a palette of yellows, oranges, and sometimes deep reds, often with a darker center. The stems are typically erect, branching, and may grow to a height of 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm). The overall growth habit of pot marigold is bushy, forming a rounded mound.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Pot marigold

1

Daisy-like flowers, 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, in yellows, oranges, reds, with darker centers.

2

Robust, slightly hairy green leaves, lance-shaped to oblong-obovate, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long.

3

Erect, sparsely branching stems up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall, slightly hairy and ribbed.

4

Fruits are dry, golden-brown achenes with a crescent shape, desiccated with a thorny exterior.

5

Aromatic leaves with fuzzy texture, prominent central vein, finely toothed or smooth edges.

Pot marigoldPot marigoldPot marigoldPot marigoldPot marigold

Detailed Traits of Pot marigold

Leaf Features

Pot marigold has aromatic leaves that are lance-shaped to oblong-obovate, measuring up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length. These green leaves are soft to the touch and feature a distinct lance shape that tapers toward the end. The texture is often slightly fuzzy, and the leaves display a prominent central vein with smaller branching veins throughout. The edges can be finely toothed or smooth, adding to their unique appearance.

Leaf Apex

Obtuse

Pot marigold Leaf Apex image
Leaf Margin

Undulate

Pot marigold Leaf Margin image
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Flower Features

The flowers of pot marigold are notable for their daisy-like flowerheads, measuring 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) in diameter. They vary in shape from single to double flowerheads and often feature a contrasting darker center disk. The petals exhibit a vibrant palette ranging from bright yellow to deep orange. These blooms are known for their prolonged blooming period, especially when spent flowers are removed. Pot marigold flowers have a subtle, earthy scent that adds to their charm.

Pot marigold Flower imagePot marigold Flower image
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Stem Features

The stem of pot marigold is sparsely branched and can be lax or erect, reaching heights up to 2 feet (60 cm). It exhibits a greenish hue and a somewhat ribbed texture. The stem's surface is slightly hairy, contributing to its rough texture. Thickness varies from 0.1 to 0.2 inches (2.5 to 5 mm). It tends to be relatively flexible but strong enough to support the plant's growth habit, a key feature aiding its identification.

Pot marigold Stem image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of pot marigold is a dry, sharp-textured achene, distinctively golden brown in hue. It adopts a notable crescent shape, reminiscent of the waning moon. These hardened fruits come to maturity between August and November, when they attain a desiccated state and reveal their thorny exterior. This combination of spiky texture and curvature aids in identification, while the achene's form, a single-seeded structure, is characteristic of pot marigold's reproductive strategy.

Pot marigold Fruit image
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Key Facts About Pot marigold

Attributes of Pot marigold
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
20 cm to 80 cm
Spread
25 cm to 50 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
4 cm to 5 cm
Flower Color
Orange
Yellow
Gold
Red
Fruit Color
Brown
Stem Color
Green
Orange
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Pot marigold

Family
Daisy
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Species
Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)
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Distribution Map of Pot marigold

Pot marigold is native to Spain, where it can be found growing wild in wastelands and disturbed areas; it has been cultivated for so long that its original habitat is uncertain. This popular garden ornamental is now an introduced species in most temperate regions of the world.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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