Tagetes erecta

Tagetes erecta

Scientific Classification:

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Clade: Eudicots
  • Order: Asterales
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Genus: Tagetes
  • Species: T. erecta

Synonyms:

   Tagetes erecta var. erecta 

   Tagetes ernstii H.Rob. & Nicolson 

   Tagetes excelsa Soule 

   Tagetes heterocarpha Rydb. 

   Tagetes major Gaertn. 

   Tagetes patula f. patula 

   Tagetes patula var. patula 

   Tagetes remotiflora Kunze 

   Tagetes tenuifolia Kunth 

Species ID: NMP-274;NCBI_Taxonomy ID: 13708;wfo-0000082627

Common Names:

African marigold, Aztec marigold, American marigold, or big marigold.

Basic Description:

Tagetes erecta is an annual herbaceous plant that can grow up to 1 meter in height. It features erect, branched stems and pinnate leaves with serrated margins. The plant produces large, vibrant yellow to orange composite flower heads, which are aromatic and bloom profusely during the growing season. The fruit is a small, black achene.

Distribution and Habitat:

Native to Mexico and Central America, Tagetes erecta has been widely cultivated and naturalized in various regions, including Nigeria. It thrives in well-drained soils under full sunlight and is commonly found in gardens, roadsides, and disturbed areas. The plant is adaptable to a range of soil types and climatic conditions, contributing to its widespread distribution.

Medicinal Properties:

Tagetes erecta has a rich history in traditional medicine, attributed to its diverse phytochemical composition. The plant contains essential oils, flavonoids, carotenoids, and thiophenes, which contribute to its therapeutic potential.

  • Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity: Extracts from T. erecta have demonstrated significant antibacterial and antifungal properties, making them useful in treating wounds, ulcers, and various skin infections.
  • Antioxidant Properties: The presence of carotenoids, particularly lutein, imparts antioxidant activity, which may help in preventing oxidative stress-related diseases.
  • Anti-inflammatory Effects: Compounds isolated from the plant have shown anti-inflammatory effects, supporting its traditional use in alleviating muscle soreness and rheumatism.
  • Anthelmintic Activity: T. erecta has been traditionally used to expel intestinal worms, and studies have confirmed its efficacy as an anthelmintic agent.
  • Digestive Health: The plant is used to treat digestive ailments such as colic, diarrhea, and indigestion, owing to its carminative and stomachic properties.

Known Toxicity:

While Tagetes erecta is generally considered safe for human use, it contains phototoxic thiophene derivatives that can cause skin irritation upon exposure to sunlight. Therefore, handling the plant with care is advisable, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. Additionally, certain varieties may be toxic to pets, including dogs and cats, if ingested.

Additional Information:

Beyond its medicinal applications, Tagetes erecta holds cultural significance, particularly in Mexico, where it is associated with the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. The flowers are used as natural dyes and in culinary practices to add color and flavor to dishes. Moreover, the plant's extracts are utilized in the poultry industry to enhance the pigmentation of egg yolks and broiler skin.

References:

  1. Kew Science. (n.d.). Tagetes erecta L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:252092-1
  2. Gilman, E. F., & Howe, T. (1999). Tagetes erecta. University of Florida. Retrieved from https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/tagsppa.pdf
  3. Singh, Y., Gupta, A., & Kannojia, P. (2020). Tagetes erecta (Marigold) - A review on its phytochemical and medicinal properties. Current Medicine and Drug Research, 4(1).
  4. "Tagetes erecta." (2023, November 15). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes_erecta
  5. Chaudhari, D., Muthal, A., Mali, A., Salunke, M., & Shinde, V. Phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Tagetes erecta L: An updated review. International Journal of Herbal Medicine 2024; 12(1): 10-15

External links

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes_erecta
  2. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.52641
  3. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tagetes-erecta/
  4. https://www.gbif.org/species/3088488
  5. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/7/3/7358
  6. https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000082627

More pictures
Compounds of Tagetes erecta
References

Ogunwande, I. A., & Olawore, N. O. (2006). The essential oil from the leaves and flowers of African Marigold, Tagetes erecta L. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 18(4), 366-368.