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marigold are a very popular grouping of plant , but not all marigolds are create equal .
In fact , there are close to 46 plants denote to as marigolds that are n’t in reality marigolds at all .
One of the genus most frequently referred to as marigold isCalendula , most notablyCalendula officinalis , better known as the vernacular marigold or pot marigold .
But while calendulas share many similarity to true marigolds , they also have some important differences .
Depending on your preferences , these differences may be trifling or highly significant .
What’s The Difference Between Marigolds And Calendulas?
The condition “ marigold ” is actually about the Virgin Mary , referring to how the broadly prosperous blooms of many plants resemble a halo .
Here are some of the cardinal differences between calendula and genuine marigolds .
Lineage
calendula make up a genus of between 15 and 20 different species .
Tagetes(the dependable marigold ) is a genus of approximately 50 mintage .
A third genus , Dimorphotheca , has 20 accepted mintage and are all but two plants commonly referred to as cape marigolds .
All three belong to theAsteraceaefamily , butCalendulaandDimorphothecaare part of a tribe called Calendulae .
Calendulaeplants are native to Africa and parts of southern Europe , whereasTagetesis native to the Americas .
Appearance
Calendulas contain a rosin that cook them sticky to the jot .
Their leaves are long , rounded , and haired , and the seeds are brown and crescent - shaped with minuscule ridges on the exterior .
These plants generally uprise no improbable than 24 ” inch , with bloom that vary from one mintage to another but be given to resemble those of daisy .
They also have a pleasant scent to most people .
However , Tagetes are very dissimilar .
Their own longsighted leave are serrate and still .
There ’s no stickiness when touching them , and the efflorescence are obtusely packed , making them more closely resemble a squashed pommy - pom .
Depending on the coinage , marigold can range from 6″ to 48 ” in marvelous .
Also , these flora are a bit more pungent , with some species being worse than others .
The seeds of true marigolds are straight and ignominious with white tips .
Benefits
Calendulas and marigold are hold dear for their flowers , bring many benefits both in and out of your garden .
However , there are some departure even here .
Calendulas , for example , have edible flowers , once a staple of English and Dutch culinary art .
make love as poor Isle of Man ’s saffron , the petals have a gently sweet taste with just a touch of bitterness that becomes potent if the petal are dried out .
The petals are also traditionally used as a nutrient dyestuff .
Meanwhile , the rosin has been cherish for medicative purposes and is used in many folk music remedy .
The plants even have spiritual and religious values .
Meanwhile , marigolds are n’t exactly eatable , with some being more edible than others .
Tagetes lucida , for lesson , is often used as a second-stringer for tarragon .
Tagetes minutais a major ingredient in a popular South American potato dish where it exchange the need for several herbs and spices .
Tagetes erectais used as a food for thought colouring , whileTagetes minutais used in perfumes and as an essential oil .
Be warned that all rightful marigolds contain toxic substances that can be harmful to pets and may induce some symptoms in humans if you use the wrong species or too much of it .
But these two genera are also both good familiar plants in the garden .
Both attract pollinator and other good insects , with calendula andTagetes erectabeing the honest at this chore .
All phallus of theTagetesgenus can deter harmful nematodes .
Depending on the scent of marigold , they can also repel several other pests , with calendula repelling several caterpillars such as the Lycopersicon esculentum hornworm and dependable marigolds sometimes being nipping enough to chase away rabbits .
calendula are also excellent sacrificial flora for sure pesterer , drawing their attention away from more important members of your garden .
Another of import distinction is that reliable marigolds incline to be affectionate perennial almost constantly get as annuals .
Calendulas , meanwhile , are perennial in zona 9b to 11 but can also be grown as annuals further north .
Both are capable of ego - seeding .
You ’ll get calendula efflorescence stretch out from May into other drop , whereas marigolds will bloom as early as 8 calendar week after planting and will keep to flower throughout the summertime .
Some Final Notes
At the conclusion of the daylight , these two genus have different appearances and smells , making them easy to severalize aside once you sleep with what to count for .
However , their care requirements and benefits in the garden are nearly identical so you may use the two pretty much interchangeably .
The only exception to this formula is if you need to expend them in cooking .
Calendulas are all as edible , but you must be careful with what species of Tagetes you use and ascertain children and pets do n’t munch on them .
