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Tagetes minuta

The leaves make a wonderful herb. I like them with roasted squash and root vegetables.

Tagetes minuta grow very good in the garden in Central Europe, but must be sown indoors before last frost and planted outdoors when frost pass. Plants reach over 6 foot high and are very dense but flower very late in autumn and if seeds are required must be protect from frost or cultivate this plants in pots. Leaves have taste which resemble some mint and other Tagetes plants, but not all people likes this aroma. Other plants in this genus which are cultivated as ornamental in Poland (e.g. Tagetes patula) are called in this country "smierdziuszki" (that is to say "the little somethings which unpleasant smell" - it comes from word "smierdziec" - stink).

This plant volunteered in my community garden plot. My gardening neighbor told me it was some kind of nematode eating marigold. It's highly aromatic, and pretty in a kind of feathery way. After checking with the DG Plant ID forum, and getting some feedback and then doing a google on my own, decided it was indeed tagetes minuta. Also known as Mexican Marigold and Mexican Tarragon. Can be used to season food, and makes a hot or cold tea. Don't know what the dietary/health benefits might be. I'll take pictures of the flowers when it blooms, to post here.

This Marigold is reputed to be an effective weed and nematode control when planted as a cover crop.

However, it is listed as a noxious weed by many agencies, so it is best to till it under before it flowers or sets seed.

In any case, the foliage is nicer than the rather unspectacular flowers.

I had one of these do very well in my garden this year (2004).

It was well over 7 feet tall and had developed a very woody stem. I suspect this may be a tender perennial in no frost areas.