How to identify Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida)

How to identify Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida)

Mexican tarragon, also known as Mexican Mint Marigold, Sweet mace, Texas tarragon, Yerbaniz

Mexican tarragon exhibits a bushy stature and is easily recognizable by its bright yellow composite flowers that typically bloom from the late spring until early fall. The foliage is fragrant, emitting a scent reminiscent of anise when crushed. This plant often reaches heights of 18 to 30 inches (45 to 76 cm) and has a similar spread. Its leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and glossy green, adding to its visual appeal. The showy flowers are situated atop slender, erect stems, attracting various pollinators.

Lifespan: Perennial, Annual

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Mexican tarragon

Yellow composite flowers bloom from late spring to early fall, attracting pollinators.

Fruit is a distinctive achene with beige pappus for seed dispersal.

Linear, lance-shaped leaves are shiny green with serrated margins, reaching 3 inches in length.

Daisy-like flowers have clustered golden-yellow heads with disk and ray florets.

Fragrant foliage emits anise scent when crushed, adding to the plant's appeal.

Detailed Traits of Mexican tarragon

Leaf Features

The leaves of mexican tarragon are linear to oblong, measuring about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and shiny medium green in color. They are green, glabrous (hairless), and range from 4 to 9 cm (1.5 - 3.5 inches) in length and less than 1 cm (0.4 inches) wide with a linear to lanceolate shape. The sessile leaves have a finely serrated margin near the middle to tip, contributing to their distinct appearance.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of mexican tarragon are sweetly scented and daisy-like, appearing in August and September. They feature clusters of small, golden-yellow flower heads at the ends of the stems. Each flower head is around 0.5 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter, with 3 to 5 golden-yellow ray florets surrounding the central disk florets. The composite flowers have both disk and ray structures, making them distinctive. Dead-heading can prolong the blooming period, enhancing their display.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of mexican tarragon is a type of achene, known as a cypsela, consisting of a single black, narrowly cylindrical seed enclosed within. These fruits measure approximately 1 cm long (~0.4 inches) and are linear and slender. A distinctive feature is the pappus at one end, comprising 1 to 3 bristle-like setae and 7 to 9 smaller scales with fringe-like edges, which are utilized for seed dispersal. The pappus, colored beige, provides the fruit with a two-pronged appearance and is crucial for identification. Although it is unique, this fruit is not commonly produced in all growing conditions, such as in Singapore.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Mexican tarragon and Their Similar Plants

African marigold vs. Mexican tarragon: What's The Difference?

African marigold is a common garden plant with bright orange or red flowers. Its use in decorative and ceremonial gardens dates back to ancient Aztec civilizations. Not only does african marigold add bright colors, but it is also known to repel insects, rabbits, and deer thanks to its toxic latex.

Lemmon's marigold vs. Mexican tarragon: What's The Difference?

Lemmon's marigold (Tagetes lemmonii) is an evergreen shrub that is native to northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Lemmon's marigold has pungent, aromatic leaves and produces bright yellow blooms from fall through spring.

Signet marigold vs. Mexican tarragon: What's The Difference?

Signet marigold is a wild marigold prolific in Central America. This herbaceous plant produces numerous tiny and yellow to orange flowerheads. The flowers are edible with a lemon-like flavor, perfect for garnishing, tea, and salad. Signet marigold is easy to grow and can be planted near creeks and puddles to repel bugs and insects.

French marigold vs. Mexican tarragon: What's The Difference?

French marigold is a popular garden plant for its ability to repel harmful insects.

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Key Facts About Mexican tarragon

Attributes of Mexican tarragon

Lifespan

Perennial, Annual

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

45 cm

Spread

30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Gold

Fruit Color

Black

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Scientific Classification of Mexican tarragon

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Asters bellflowers fanflowers and allies

Family

Daisy

Genus

Marigolds

Species

Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida)

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Distribution Map of Mexican tarragon

Mexican tarragon is native to regions of Central America and is notably found in areas with a similar climate. It has been introduced to other appropriate climates around the world and has adapted to these new regions. Mexican tarragon is also cultivated in various locales, which suggests a degree of popularity and adaptative success beyond its original range.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Mexican tarragon

A Comprehensive Guide to Mexican tarragon How to Grow and Care for Mexican tarragon