Plant · GBIF taxon 3088488
Mexican Marigold
Tagetes erectaAlso known as Aztec Marigold, African Marigold, Cempasúchil, Big Marigold
Mexican marigolds produce bold, dense flower heads in shades of golden yellow and bright orange, set against aromatic, feathery foliage. Deeply woven into Mexican history and cultural tradition, these blooms light up altars during Day of the Dead festivities to guide returning spirits. In the garden, their root secretions release natural compounds that suppress soil nematodes, making them exceptional companion plants.
FloweringAromaticCultural Icon
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Slugs
- Snails
- Spider Mites
ThreatsAgricultural expansion and habitat degradation in native wild ranges
HabitatsPine-oak forests, fields, disturbed ground, gardens
Life span1 year (Annual)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsterales
- FamilyAsteraceae
- GenusTagetes
- SpeciesTagetes erecta
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Pest Control: Plant alongside garden vegetables to deter pests with its pungent foliage and root exudates.
- Pollinator Support: Leave mature blooms intact to feed visiting butterflies, solitary bees, and hoverflies.
- Sensing: Gently crush a leaf between your fingers to experience the signature musky fragrance.
Close Relative (c) Emad Tahaei, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Emad Tahaei · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Neptalí Ramírez Marcial, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Neptalí Ramírez Marcial · cc-by
Close Relative
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