Scientific Name: Calendula officinalis L. Family: Compositae
Common Names: Calendula, garden marigold, gold bloom, holligold, marygold, pot marigold, marybud
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) or more commonly known as pot marigold is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. Calendula, is one of the most common herbs and can be found growing in people's homes throughout North America and Europe Calendula is believed to have originated from Egypt and native in Southern Europe but is now cultivated throughout the world as a garden plant. Calendula has long been used as herbal medicine to promote healing of skin wounds and reduce inflammation. Calendula is also used in folk medicine to treat fever, dysmenorrheal and even cancer. Calendula, because of its pungent odor, is also used as an insect repellant.
Calendula is a short-lived aromatic perennial plant, growing to about 50 cm in height. Calendula produces inflorescences or cluster of flowers that are bright yellow in color with thick flower head about 5 cm in diameter. Calendula flowers are surrounded by two rows of bracts that are also yellow colored. Calendula leaves are green, simple, and hairy in both sides with oblong-lanceolate shape that grows to about 5 to 15 cm long with toothed margins. Calendula fruit is a thorny that has seeds that looks like an apostrophe that is about 5mm in length
