Tagetes erecta L.
Vernacular name: Genda, African Marigold, Aztec Marigold (Hindi: गेंदा)
Species Name: Tagetes erecta L.
Family: Asteraceae
Habit: Erect annual herb (60-120 cm)
Stem: Branched, glabrous to glandular-pubescent, strongly aromatic
Leaf: Opposite, pinnatisect; 5-9 linear-lanceolate segments (4-15 × 0.5-1 cm)
Flowering: July-November (monsoon-autumn)
Flowers: Solitary terminal capitula (5-10 cm diam.); double ray florets golden-yellow to orange-red; disc florets hidden; imbricate involucral bracts; pungent aroma
Fruit: Oblong 4-5 angled achenes
Uses:
- It is used to treat stomach ache, diarrhea, liver illnesses, vomiting, indigestion and toothache. Also useful as a skin wash.
- Flower is a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin that protects against age related degenerations and support macular health.
- Tropical application of flower and leaf paste helps to soothe wounds, boils, bruises and skin ulcers.
- Flowers are used to make herbal teas and decoction in folk remedies that helps with cold, cough and intestinal parasites.
- Extracts of plant has anti-inflammatory properties.
- It also kills gram negative and gram positive bacteria in vitro. This helps to protect certain crop plants from nematodes. Strong scent of flowers also helps to repel mosquitoes and insects. These properties makes it an useful companion plant.
- Petals have been used in lettuce salads and other foods to add colour and flavour.
- Flowers yield a brilliant yellow-orange dye that can be used in textile industries.
- The dried flower petals, ground to a powder, may be used in poultry feed.
- The flower oil may be added to perfumes to infuse an apple scent into them.
- It is used as a sacred Hindu temple flower, also known as Day of Dead (Mexico) and used as garland essential and Vaastu prosperity symbol
