Mexican Tarragon Tagetes lucida
Other 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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Tagetes, or Marigolds, is a genus in the sunflower or aster family that includes 49 species of flowering, herbaceous plants with a shrubby form that are native to Central and South America and have been introduced throughout the world. Tagetes lucida, or Mexican Tarragon, is native to the hill sides and woodlands in 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 offered 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