The French marigold (Tagetes patula) is a species in the Asteraceae or the daisy family. It is native to the Americas with several naturalized populations around the world.

The flower is an annual and in some climates it flowers from July to October. In its native habitat of the highlands of central Mexico, blooms are produced from September till the killing frost.

Achenes ripen and are shed within two weeks of the start of bloom. The leaves of all species of marigold include oil glands. The oils are pungent.

Used mainly as an edging plant on herbaceous borders, it is a low growing plant with flowers of blended red and yellow in most varieties. French Marigolds are commonly planted in butterfly gardens as a source of nectar. Medicinally many cultures use infusions from dried leaves or florets.

Tagetes patula florets are added to poultry feed to help give the yolks a golden color. Hectares of land are grown and harvested annually for this purpose. The florets can also be used to color human foods.

Its golden yellow dye can be used to color animal based textiles (wool, silk) without a mordant, however a mordant is needed for cotton and synthetic textiles.

The whole plant is harvested when in flower and distilled for its essential oil. This oil is used in perfumery. It is blended with sandalwood oil to produce the ‘attar genda’ perfume.

The essential oil is being investigated for its anti fungal activity and in treating fungal infections in plants.