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calendula, pot-marigold, Scotch-marigold

marigold, pot marigold

Habit Annuals, perennials [subshrubs], 5–50(–70+) cm.
Stems

procumbent to erect, glabrous or arachnose and/or stipitate-glandular.

Leaves

blades 3–12(–18+) cm × 10–30(–60+) mm.

sessile or petiolate;

blades elliptic, obovate, or oblong to oblanceolate, spatulate, or linear (bases sometimes clasping), margins entire or denticulate, faces sparsely arachnose and/or stipitate-glandular.

Peduncles

5–8(–12+) cm.

Involucres

campanulate to hemispheric or broader, 10–30+ mm diam.

Receptacles

flat.

Ray florets

30–50(–100+);

corolla laminae 12–20+ mm.

13–50(–100+) in 1–3+ series;

corollas yellow to orange, laminae linear to oblanceolate.

Disc florets

(30–)60–150+;

corollas (4–)5–6+ mm.

20–60(–150+), functionally staminate;

corollas yellow, reddish, or purplish, tubes shorter than ± campanulate throats.

Phyllaries

12–40+, (8–)10–12+ mm.

13–40+ in 2+ series, lanceolate to lance-linear.

Heads

borne singly.

Cypselae

9–15(–25+) mm.

arcuate to ± coiled (usually some beaked, some 2–3-winged, some both beaked and winged), abaxial faces usually tuberculate and/or transversely ridged.

x

= 11.

2n

= 14, 32.

Calendula officinalis

Calendula

Phenology Flowering year-round.
Habitat Disturbed places
Elevation 0–500 m (0–1600 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
CA; CT; MA; ME; MI; NH; OH; PA; Eurasia; Africa; Atlantic Islands [Introduced in North America]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
from USDA
Macaronesia; Mediterranean Europe; Near East; North Africa; widely cultivated; sometimes escaping and/or persisting [Introduced in North America]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Cultivars of Calendula officinalis are widely used horticulturally, medicinally, and as pot herbs.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Species 15 or fewer (2 in the flora).

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Key
1. Phyllaries 13–21+, 6–10+ mm; ray florets 13–18+, corolla laminae 5–8(–12+) mm
C. arvensis
1. Phyllaries 12–40+, (8–)10–12+ mm; ray florets 30–50(–100+), corolla laminae 12–20+ mm.
C. officinalis
Source FNA vol. 19, p. 382. FNA vol. 19, p. 381. Author: John L. Strother.
Parent taxa Asteraceae > tribe Calenduleae > Calendula Asteraceae > tribe Calenduleae
Sibling taxa
C. arvensis
Subordinate taxa
C. arvensis, C. officinalis
Name authority Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 2: 921. (1753) Linnaeus: Sp. Pl. 2: 921. (1753): Gen. Pl. ed. 5, 393. (1754)
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