Calendula officinalis

Nomenclature

Latin NameCalendula officinalis
Common name in English and GermanCalendula
Regional namesPot Marigold (English), Calendula (English/Italian/Spanish/Portuguese), Calendule (French), Souci des jardins (French), Garten-Ringelblume (German), Tuin-goudsbloem (Dutch), Have-morgenfrue (Danish), Ringblomma (Swedish), Morgenfrue (Norwegian), Nagietek lekarski (Polish), Календула лекарственная [Kalendula lekarstvennaya] (Russian), Ноготки [Nogotki] (Russian), Календула лікарська [Kalendula likarska] (Ukrainian), Gkörömvirág (Hungarian), Měsíček lékařský (Czech), 金盏花 [Jīnzhǎnhuā] (Chinese), トウキンセンカ [Tōkinsenka] (Japanese), 금잔화 [Geumjanhwa] (Korean), Aynisefa (Turkish), Aadhunikan (Hindi), Azaryun (Arabic), Calendulă (Romanian)

Geographic data

Variety’s range of distributionOriginally Mediterranean, later introduced to North and South Americas, Australia, New Zealand, parts of the Middle East
Crop's center of diversityMediterranean

Provenance and collection data

CollectionMedicinal
Seed sourceCommercial supplier, Spore garden

Cultivation

Life cycleAnnual
Months suitable for planting seedsMarch, April, May
Seed startingOutdoor
Days to harvest70
Growth habitHerb
Stem orientationDecumbent
Use as ground coverDensely covers soil
Plant height (cm)40
Sun exposureFull sun
Water RequirementsRainfed
Soil preferenceHighly adaptable, Lower to neutral pH
Successional communityWood edge, Patchy shrub-land
Potential use in agro-designCan be part of the soil reclamation seed mixtures.

Reproduction

PollinationCross pollinating
Reproductive biologyBisexual flower
Likelihood of hybridisationVery likely

Use

Consumable partsBuds, Flowers
Medicinal actionAnti-microbial, Anti-inflamatory, Astringent, Vulnerary
Parts used medicinally and their effectFresh young flowers incorporated into oils or liniments.Commonly used for skin healing, ulcers, burns, rashes, and digestive inflammation.
Gastronomic useFlowers can be added to salads for their high carotenoid content and strong antioxidant effect.

Notes

The name Calendula comes from the Latin calendae, meaning “little calendar” or “the first day of the month.” This refers to the plant’s habit of flowering almost every month in mild climates.
Calendula flowers open with the sun and close at night or before rain, earning it a reputation as a natural weather indicator.