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Tagetes - Marigold
Revision as of 16:43, 24 December 2016 by Jayashree (talk | contribs) (Created page with "thumb|right|''Calendula'', ''Zergul'' Calendula is a genus of about 15–20 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants...")
Calendula is a genus of about 15–20 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae that are often known as marigolds. They are native to southwestern Asia, western Europe, Macaronesia, and the Mediterranean.Other plants are also known as marigolds, such as corn marigold, desert marigold, marsh marigold, and plants of the genus Tagetes. Popular herbal and cosmetic products named 'calendula' invariably derive from C. officinalis.
Uses
- Calendula species have been used traditionally as culinary and medicinal herbs.
- The petals are edible and can be used fresh in salads or dried and used to color cheese or as a replacement for saffron. A yellow dye has been extracted from the flowers.
- Calendula flowers are sacred flowers in India and have been used to decorate the statues of Hindu deities since early times.
- Calendula ointments are skin products used to treat minor cuts, burns, and skin irritation.
- Calendula species have been used in cooking for centuries. The flowers were a common ingredient in German soups and stews, which explains the nickname "pot marigold".
- The beautiful flowers were once used as a source of dye for fabrics. By using different mordants, a variety of yellows, oranges and browns could be obtained.
