Common name: Marigold, Genda गेंदा (Hindi), Jhenduphool झेंडूफूल (Marathi), Gondephool गाँडेंफूल (Konkani), Sanarei (Manipuri)

Botanical name: Tagetes erecta - [ (TAG-e-teez) or (ta-JEE-teez) named for Tages, an Etruscan god who sprang up from ploughed earth; (ee-RECK-tuh) erect, upright ] Family: Asteraceae or alternatively Compositeae (aster, daisy, or sunflower family) - [ (ass-ter-AY-see-ay) the aster (daisy) family; formerly Compositae ]

Origin: Mexico and Central America

Hundreds of varieties of marigold have been developed for the garden over the last few hundred years. These plants were brought from the new world to Europe in the 16th century and plant hybridizers have been busy with them ever since.

Marigolds are categorized into three groups: French, African and triploid marigolds. The French marigolds (Tagetes patula) are small bushy plants that are about 6-12 in (15-30 cm) in height. The flowers are up to 2 in (5 cm) across and are composed of a dense arrangement of "rays" that come in yellow, orange and a unique bronze color. The French marigolds bloom continuously until cut down by frost. The African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), also called American marigolds, are tall stout plants that grow to 3 ft (0.9 m) in height. They have larger blossoms and a shorter flowering period than their French cousins - remove faded flowers to encourage a second flush of bloom. The triploid marigolds are sterile hybrids obtained by crossing the French with the African species. These triploids are non-stop bloomers with impressive 3 in (7.6 cm) flower heads in clear warm colors of gold, yellow, red and russet. The leaves of all marigolds are dark green, deeply divided and have a somewhat unpleasant, aromatic fragrance.

Despite its common name, the African marigold (T. erecta) is native to Mexico and Central America. The French marigold (T. patula), is also from this region. Marigolds have naturalized in many other warm climate areas all over the world.

Courtesy: - Flowers of India - Dave's Garden - Floridata