Tagetes erecta
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Tagetes erecta Common Names: African marigold, Aztec marigold,
American marigold, Big marigold, Mexican marigold, Genda phul Scientific Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Tagetes Species: T. erecta Synonyms: Tagetes ernstii H.Rob. & Nicolson, Tagetes excelsa Soule, Tagetes heterocarpha Rydb., Tagetes major Gaertn., Tagetes remotiflora Kunze, Tagetes tenuifolia Kunth Morphological Description Tagetes erecta is
an annual or short-lived perennial herbaceous plant, typically 0.3–1 meter
tall, occasionally reaching 1.5 meters. Its key characteristics include: · Stems: Erect, branched, green to reddish, slightly woody at the
base, with a pungent aroma when crushed (Fern, 2024). · Leaves: Pinnate, opposite, 5–15 cm long, with 11–17 lanceolate
leaflets, serrated margins, gland-dotted, aromatic (Prance & Jongkind,
2015). · Flowers: Large, composite heads (5–10 cm diameter), vibrant yellow to
orange, occasionally red or bicolor; disc and ray florets present, blooming
June–October in tropics (Kew Science, n.d.). · Fruit: Small, black, linear achenes (6–8 mm), with a pappus of 5–10
bristles, aiding wind dispersal (Fern, 2024). Distribution and Habitat Tagetes erecta is
native to Mexico and Central America, widely cultivated and naturalized
globally: · Geographic Range: Native to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras;
naturalized in Nigeria, India, China, Brazil, Australia, South Africa;
cultivated in Nigeria’s southern and northern regions for ornamental and
medicinal purposes (Kew Science, n.d.). · Habitat: Thrives in well-drained, loamy or sandy soils (pH 5.5–7.5)
under full sunlight; found in gardens, roadsides, disturbed areas, and
farmlands; tolerates 500–2,000 mm annual rainfall and elevations up to 2,000 m
(Fern, 2024). · Ecological Role: Attracts pollinators (bees, butterflies);
repels soil nematodes and pests; can become weedy in disturbed areas (Burkill,
1985). Ethnopharmacology Tagetes erecta,
known as Genda in Nigeria, is a cornerstone of traditional medicine, with
extensive ethnopharmacological validation for its diverse applications (Singh
et al., 2020): · Antimicrobial: In Nigeria, leaf and flower decoctions treat skin infections
and wounds. Ethanolic flower extracts, rich in patulitrin, inhibited Staphylococcus aureus (29.5 mm zone) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC: 0.5–2 mg/mL), attributed to flavonoids
and thiophenes (Rhama & Madhavan, 2011). · combat oxidative stress in Nigeria. Methanolic
flower extract showed DPPH scavenging (IC50: 271.6 µg/mL) and FRAP activity
(1475.3 µM trolox/g), due to lutein and quercetagetin glycosides (Burlec et
al., 2021). · Anti-inflammatory: In Nigeria, leaf poultices relieve
rheumatism. Hydroalcoholic flower extract (100 µg/mL) reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and
NO production in LPS-stimulated macrophages, inhibiting neutrophil migration in
mice, linked to flavonoids (Vaz CR et al., 2022). · Anthelmintic: Root decoctions expel intestinal worms in Nigeria.
Methanolic root extract paralyzed Pheretima posthuma (EC50: 20 mg/mL), with thiophenes as
active compounds (Chaudhari et al., 2024). · Gastroprotective: Flower infusions treat colic and diarrhea
in Nigeria. Dry extract (300 mg/kg) reduced gastric ulcer area in rats by 60%,
enhancing GSH and SOD levels, attributed to lutein and gallic acid (Meurer et
al., 2022). · Anticancer: In Nigeria, whole plant extracts are used for tumors.
Methanolic flower extract inhibited ovarian carcinoma cells (A2780, IC50: lower
than other floral extracts) via apoptosis, with quercetagetin and patuletin as
key compounds (Rivas-García et al., 2024). · Hepatoprotective: Leaf decoctions treat jaundice in Nigeria.
Methanolic leaf extract (250 mg/kg) reduced CCl4-induced liver damage in rats,
lowering ALT and AST by 40%, due to flavonoids and carotenoids (Saxena et al.,
1993). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Tagetes erecta is generally safe at therapeutic doses, but phototoxic thiophene
derivatives (e.g., α-terthienyl) in leaves and flowers may cause contact
dermatitis or photosensitivity upon skin exposure to sunlight. Acute toxicity
studies showed no mortality in rats at ethanolic leaf extract doses up to 2,000
mg/kg (LD50 > 2,000 mg/kg). Ingestion by pets (dogs, cats) may cause
vomiting or diarrhea due to thiophenes. High doses (>1,000 mg/kg) may cause
mild liver enzyme elevation (ALT increased by 10%). Use is contraindicated in
pregnancy and for children due to insufficient safety data. Handling requires
gloves for sensitive individuals (Feng et al., 2019). Additional Uses · Cultural: In Nigeria, flowers are used in festivals and rituals; in
Mexico, central to Día de los Muertos, decorating altars and graves (Burkill,
1985). · Culinary: Petals used in Nigeria as a natural food colorant in soups
and beverages; edible in salads in Mexico (Fern, 2024). · Industrial: Lutein extracted from flowers enhances egg yolk and broiler
skin pigmentation in Nigeria’s poultry industry; used in cosmetics for UV
protection (Fern, 2024). · Agricultural: Planted in Nigeria to repel soil nematodes and pests due to
thiophenes; used as a natural insecticide (Burkill, 1985). References
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