Tagetes lucida
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TA-ji-teez LU-si-da
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Mexican tarragon is native to the hillside and woodlands of Mexico and South America, where it is a perennial. In zones colder than 8 it is grown as an annual. It has cheerful yellow composite flowers that appear in the late spring and early fall.
Plant it in the full sun in light well-drained soils. It tolerates most soil types including clay; however, it cannot grow in full shade and is not particularly cold hardy. Mexican Tarragon pairs well in vegetable gardens with tomatoes or you can plant them in an herb garden, a border front, or along a pathway or patio. Propagate this plant by seed.
The plant is often used in tea, to color foods, and as a substitute for tarragon; however, it can be harmful if eaten in large amounts. The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants may cause a painful skin rash or irritation. Wash the affected area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible after contact.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails can be a problem especially for seedlings. Botrytis is an occasional disease problem.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tagetes
- Species:
- lucida
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The leaves were used in the flavoring of 'chocolatl', the cocoa-based drink of the Aztecs.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Honduras
- Edibility:
- Flowers are used to make tea. Leaves are used fresh or dried in soups and sauces. Their flavor is similar to anise.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes black, narrowly cylindrical; pappus of 1 to 3 setae and 7 to 9 much shorter scales with ciliate margins.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Sweetly scented, yellow, daisy-like flowers appear in August and September. Dead-heading will prolong flowering. Flowers display clusters of small golden yellow flower heads on the ends of the stems. The flower heads are 1⁄2 inch across and have 3 to 5 golden-yellow ray florets.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Denticulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are linear to oblong, about 3 inches long, and shiny medium green.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Skin redness, burning pain, and blisters when broken skin is in contact with cell sap plus sunlight; nose and eye irritation from aroma of flowers.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Phototoxic thiophene derivatives
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
