CALENDULA
Family Name: Sunflower
Family Name: Asteraceae/Compositae
Latin Name: Calendula officinalis
The name Calendula is derived from the same root as calendar referring to the almost year-round blooming.
officinalis means medicinal; of the pharmacopoeia
Common Names: Marigold, Pot Marigold, English Marigold, Holigold, and Mary Bud.
Mary's Gold – named by St Hildegard of Bingen after dedicating Calendula officinalis to the Virgin Mary {Cheers 167}
Golds and Ruddes by Old English authors (Botanical 1)
*Note: The use of the term Marigold most often refers to plants of the Tagetes genius.
Related Species: 20+/- species worldwide, Calendula arvensis
Body System Affiliations:
1. Skin
2. Cardiovascular
3. Immune system
Botanical Description:
Habit: Branching, rounded herb; hardy annual
Zone: 6-10
Size: 12” – 24” height and spread
Arrangement: Alternate – leaves attached in a spiral around the stem
Leaves: Aromatic at 40-46% oil content (IENICA 2); pale green; spatulate or oblanceolate, dentate with widely spaced teeth; hairy; sessile – leaves without a stalk, or petiole, connecting them to stems (Stern 106).
Flowers: Orange, yellow, gold, bicolor, cream, apricot, orange-red; solitary on long, sparsely branching pedicels; large with some measuring 4” across; Calendula is often mistakenly described as having a single or double flower when in actuality the calendula flower is called an inflorescence, a cluster of many flowers. Forming a composite head, the center consists of a cluster of small disc flowers surrounded by a ring or two of ray flowers (Capon 169). The heads are heterogamous meaning the ray flowers are female while the disc flowers are pseudo-hermaphroditic and sterile females (IENICA 2).
Fruit: The fruit of Calendula is inconspicuous. Winged or unwinged, the fruit is an achene, a single seed attached only at the base to its surrounding pericarp (Stern 137).
Stem: Annular, branched, and hairy
Ecology:
Habitat: Cool, temperate climates
Range: Zone 6-10
Origin: Southern Europe (Cheers 167)
Canary Islands, South and Central Europe, and North Africa (The Garden Helper 1)
Egypt (Healthy Herbs 1)
Ecological Relationships: When planted as companions in a vegetable garden, they help to control insect populations like asparagus beetles and tomato hornworms.
Propagation:
Technique: Sow seed directly outdoors in autumn or spring; self-seeds to gradually increase in numbers each season.
Site: Full sun is best, but will tolerate partial shade
Soil: Any
Planting depth: ¼ inch deep
Seed spacing: 2 inches apart
Germination: 7 – 14 days at 59º to 68ºF
Thinning height: 2 inches
Plant spacing: 9 inches
Season: June until late autumn; will bloom until hard frost.
Utilization: Borders, bedding, herb gardens, wildflower areas, cutting gardens
Helpful hint: Deadheading will promote long and lush blooming.
Harvest:
Plant Part: Inflorescence and leaves
Season of Harvest: Blooms June until hard frost
Method of Harvest: Pinch; process deadhead material for harvest
Western (European-American) Uses/Relationships:
Culinary:
Flavor: Flowers = pungent, spicy and Leaves = bitter aftertaste
Dishes: Fish and meat soups; rice; salad; garnish with whole flower
Other uses: Inexpensive food coloring alternative to saffron. Coloring for cheeses and butters.
Materials/Technology: Used as dye for cloth
Part Used: Flowers
Preparation: Cover pot full of flowers with boiling water and then a lid. Steep for 30 minutes. Strain and water to stove on medium heat. Put in yarn or cloth and let simmer for 45 minutes. Add salt to bath to set color and simmer another 30 minutes. Pull from bath, rinse, and hang to dry (Tierra 146).
Medicine:
Special note: Medicinal value is found only in the common, deep-orange variety (Botanical 3).
History: Used since 13 th century in central and northern Europe; Traced to ancient Greece and Rome.
Part Used: Inflorescences
Medicinal Actions: Antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, vulnerary, aperient, cholagogue, stimulant, astringent, antiviral, antibacterial
Body System Associations: Skin, cardiovascular, and immune system
Constituents: Flavonoids are found in high amounts; carotenoids, saponins, resins, bitters, glycocides (Healthy Herbs 1)
Harvest: Inflorescences and flower head
Storage: Quickly dry in a cool, well ventilated area
Application: Fresh flowers
Indications: Bee and wasp stings
Pharmacy: Rub flower on affected skin to remedy pain and inflammation (Botanical 3).
Application: Tincture
Indications: Gastritis and menstrual difficulties
Preparation: Soak a handful of flowers in 0.5 quart rectified alcohol or whiskey for 5 to 6 weeks.
Pharmacy: 1-2 teaspoons or 5-20 drops three times daily in water or tea (Holistic 2)
Other Indications: cold sores (Garden Guides 2)
Application: Salve, cream or lotion
Indications: Bruises, sprains, pulled muscles, sores, boils, burns including sunburn (Holistic 1)
warts, snake bites, eczema (The Garden Helper 1)
acne, diaper rash, athlete's foot, ringworm (Garden Guides 2)
Preparation: Combine inflorescences with oil. Simmer 20 minutes, combine with melted beeswax, and mix. Add vitamin E oil as a preservative.
Pharmacy: Rub directly on skin. Can be used as lip balm. (Tierra 94).
Application: Infusion/tea
Indications: Ulcers, stomach cramps, diarrhea, bronchial complaints
Preparation: Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers. Steep covered for fifteen minutes, strain, and cool slightly.
Pharmacy: 3 cups of tea per day (Holistic 2).
Other Indications: Indigestion, relieves colitis and symptoms of menopause (Garden Guides 2) Varicose veins (Botanical 3) Circulate/cleanse blood (Healthy Herb 1)
Alternative use: Dipping cloth into cool tea used as a wet dressing is effective for skin problems. (Holistic 2) Use infusion as a rinse to lighten and brighten hair. (Garden Guides 2)
Application: Sterile tea
Indications: Conjunctivitis (Holistic 1)
Cautions: Home treatment for eye conditions is not recommended, as absolute sterility must be maintained.
Other: Currently being investigated for anticancer properties (The Garden Helper 2)
Cautions: Always talk to your doctor before considering using internally. If you have hay fever or are allergic to ragweed, may cause dermatitis (Botanical 1).
Personal Experience:
Growing my first crop:
Site Location: West Olympia
Ownership: The landlord of the house we were renting graciously allowed my husband and me to tear out much of the small yard's lawn in order to make flower beds.
Soil: The soil was rich, well-drained but very rocky. I created my own soil using one part peat to two parts potting soil to two parts compost.
Light: Around our mailboxes, I planted the calendula in a small raised bed we had constructed in our only sunny location.
Other Plant Species Present With the calendula, I planted mixed colors of zinnia, white alyssum, and blue lobelia.
Quantity/Condition of Desired Species: All thrived with wateringduring the warmest days.
Evidence of Animal Activity Even with the lush cover over the soil, the squirrels continued to bury their peanuts supplied by our neighbor.
Evidence of Human Activity: One day arriving home from work I noticed a few of the landscaping timbers of the raised bed were askew. We believed that our postal service representative was to blame.
Reason for Selection: At the time, I had just begun my adventures in gardening. Calendula was merely one of a hundred packets of seed varieties I had purchased at the store that year.
Technique: Planting was most haphazardly. I sprinkled some seed about the freshly tilled soil, pressed down the soil with the flat part of my rake, and watered well. I watered daily for the first few weeks.
Harvest: Harvesting the flowers was the best part. I made large bouquets for friends and family, and I combined my calendula with a number of other plants like gooseneck loosestrife, butterfly bush, campanula and zinnia.
Storage: A bouquet will thrive over a week with daily water changes.
Experience: The greatest fulfillment from growing calendula were the smiles returned to me by my bouquet recipients. All would comment on how cheerful the colors made them feel. The following summer I was blessed to find that I had calendula growing once more. This was the moment I learned about self-seeding flowers.
Current crop:
Site Location: Rochester
Ownership: My husband and I finally own a home and a small parcel of property. I made my husband promise that I would never have to move again, since I could not bear to leave another garden created with my hands, my time, and my imagination.
Soil: The soil is dark and gritty with large, smooth stones beginning their reign only 6-8” beneath the surface.
Light Conditions: Unlike my previous garden, my current property is nearly entirely full sun. We began with an expanse of prairie, some lawn, a row of Noble fir for privacy, a row of Douglas fir as a wind break, and a few specimen trees. After living in our home for two years, we had planted 52 additional trees, and we have nurtured many shrubs, bulbs, and perennials since then.
Topography: We are surrounded by a park-like setting. The ground is relatively flat like that of grassland.
Other Plant Species Present: Each year my husband mows the field but leaves me a large expanse of natural terrain. Camas, daisies, yarrow, aster, and numerous varieties of grasses grow on our property. My calendula, however, are not planted in the prairie but rather planted in a container accompanied by yellow petite marigolds (Tagetes variety) and a purple basil.
Quantity/Condition of Desired Species: Originally planted in April, my four remaining calendula are lush and green. They bless me with a new inflorescence almost every day. My germination rate for calendula is 84%, but problems with my hardening practices and procrastination in planting decreases my overall yield to 23% (Matheney log 2005).
Evidence of Animal Activity: Occasionally my calendula will be knocked off of the deck by one of my four dogs. The plants seem very resistant to pests.
Evidence of Human Activity: The bloom prolifically with consistent deadheading. Only the colder temperatures slow these beauties.
Reason for Selection: I am not a big fan of the color orange. I find it glaring and loud, but my first experience with calendula blossoms changed my mind at least for this flower. The flowers are so soft and resemble the head of the sun with rays of light extending in all directions. Truly, this is a happy flower. The subtle green leaves are nice, too, and feel like fuzzy fruit leather. I enjoy working with the seeds, since they are easy to handle and remind me of tiny seahorses.
Technique: All my seedlings are planting in peat sponges in domed trays indoors under lights. When the roots have grown through the bottom of the cell, the seedling is transferred to a peat pot with sterile soil combined with a teaspoon of slow release fertilizer. They remain in my west facing window until they are moved outdoors for hardening.
Processing: I gently popped the flowers off the end of their stems.
Storage: As our autumn nights bring with them a distinct chill, my calendulas have slowed in their blooming. I gathered the flowers over a five day period keeping the harvested flowers atop a damp paper towel in the refrigerator.
Experience: Both my mother and my husband participated in my tea making endeavor. The experience was rather exciting really. Constantly asking how much time was left on the clock, my mother was so impatient for the end product. This built the anticipation for all of us. I strained the tea through a coffee filter, and I added honey to each person's cup.
Application/Preparation/Pharmacy:
Applications: This year I grew calendula for visual enjoyment, but the program, Arts, Environment, and The Child, has inspired me to enjoy my calendula crop in the form of a tea.
Preparation: After boiling a pot of water, I add three, large calendula inflorescences and let the brew steep covered for twenty minutes. While cooling, I stir in a teaspoon of honey for a hint of sweetness.
Pharmacy: Each cup contained four ounces of tea.
Reason/Purpose: My reasons in drinking fresh calendula tea were to experience its flavor and confirm its warming effects on the body.
Experience: As it was steeping, I sniffed its aroma and became a bit doubtful about my tea's quality. After twenty minutes, however, the scent of the tea was more subtle and pleasant. I must admit that my first sip was with hesitation, for I seldom if ever drink tea, so I certainly did not know what to expect. What I experienced was a wonderful, mild flavor of tea. The honey gave it a splash of sweet, but it was the calendula that was so tasty.
Other Notes of Interest: The flowers open and close with the sun.
Cautions : Always talk to your doctor before considering using internally for pharmacy purposes. If you have hay fever or are allergic to ragweed, use of calendula products may cause dermatitis (Botanical 1).
Collected Images:
Pot Marigold
(Calendula officinalis LINN.)
(Botanical 1)
Personal Drawings:
Calendula leaf
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Child Friendly version:
The Discovery of Ditzy Disc
As the sun rose over the rolling hills, light streamed onto Ditzy's face awaking her from a sound sleep. A Disc Flower, Ditzy always seemed to wake before her neighbors. She quietly peeked outside and looked as far as her eyes could see. Puzzled, Ditzy sought the advice of the wisest flower in all the land, Professor Ray Flower. “Professor,” she called.
Hearing her summons, the professor slowly awoke, and with a big yawn replied, “So early it is. What is your question, Miss Ditzy?”
“Professor Ray, I woke up this morning and looked all about, but I cannot find them anywhere,” she said with a concerned voice.
“Can't find what, dear child?” replied the Professor.
“I can't find the palm trees, Professor. Where are all the palm trees?” asked Ditzy. “We are Florida residents, aren't we?”
“Oh, Ditzy, I can understand the confusion, but our home is called Inflorescence. We are a community of individual flowers living together on a circular platform atop a great, green stem rooted in the earth by strong roots,” explained Professor Ray.
“Inflorescence,” muttered Ditzy. “A community.”
The professor continued, “We are Calendula, the brightest flower in all the land. Our soft bodies can heal many illnesses, and our vibrant color fills the world with joy. You are very special, Ditzy, for you are the center flower.”
Ditzy thought hard about the professor's words, and she spoke out loud to herself, “I have discovered that I am Calendula, and I am a very special flower in Inflorescence and with my neighbors, I possess the powers of healing and cheer. I am the center flower. ”
Each word pulled her closer to the sun as Ditzy's chest filled with pride. She stretched out as big and as wide as she could pushing her neighbor flowers in all directions. Soon Calendula had completely opened, and Inflorescence shined like a precious pot of gold.
As day turned into night, Ditzy became tired and sleepy. Although she was still proud, she no longer had the strength to stretch herself so far. As she drifted off to sleep in a satisfied bliss, her chest fell closing Inflorescence and causing all the other flowers to sleep.
Everyone slept soundly through the night. The songs of crickets played in the moonlight, and some distant frogs croaked their own chorus. For only a moment, the air became still and all became silent. Then, the rooster crowed, the sun rose, and the calendula community once again awoke to the question, “Where are all the palm trees?”
Work Cited References:
Capon, Brian. Botany for Gardeners: An Introduction and Guide . Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 1990.
Cheers, Gordon (publisher). Botanica . Milsons Point, Australia: Mynah an imprint of Random House Australia Pty Ltd, 1999.
Author Unknown. Garden Guides website. Online at http://www.gardenguides.com/herbs/marigold.htm Updated 2005. Visited 10-30-2005.
Author Unknown. The Garden Helper website. Online at http://www.thegardenhelper.com/barb/calendula.html Update unknown. Visited 10-30-2005
Grieve, Mrs. M. Botanical website. Online at http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/marigo16.html Copyright 1995-2005. Visited 10-30-2005.
Author Unknown. Holistic Online website. Online at http://www.holistic- online.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h37.htm Updated 2000. Visited 10-30-2005.
Author Unknown. Interactive European Network for Industrial Crops and their Applications website. Online at http://www.ienica.net/crops/calendula.htm Updated 9-20-2002. Visited 11-13-2005.
Knight, Juli. Healthy Herbs website. Online at http://healthyherbs.about.com/od/howtos/ht/calendoil.htm Update unknown. Visited 10-30-2005
Matheney, Heather. Progression of Seedling 2005 . Personal log of every seed planted from the moment it enters its medium until it passes.
Stern, Kingsley R. Introductory Plant Biology . US; McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 2000.
Tierra, Lesley L.Ac., AHG. A Kid's Herb Book: For Children of All Ages . Bandon, OR; Robert D. Reed Publishers, 2000.
