Tagetes erecta L.

Erect, glabrous, aromatic annual, up to c. 60 cm tall. Stems much-branched or sparingly branched. Lvs 1-pinnate, shortly petiolate; leaflets in 2–4–(8) pairs, narrow-elliptic to lanceolate, 1–4–(5) cm long, with 2–10–(20) teeth on each side, and scattered, large, sessile glands on both surfaces. Upper cauline lvs smaller than lower, with fewer, narrower leaflets and fewer leaflet teeth. Capitula c. 4–6 cm diam., solitary; peduncles fistular. Involucre campanulate, (12)–15–20 × (6)–8–18 mm, with 5–7 short teeth at apex; glands long, many, ± evenly distributed above and below. Ray florets 8-numerous; ligules pale yellow to bright orange, 10–30 mm long. Disc florets numerous, yellow or orange, or many or all transformed into ligulate florets. Achenes 3–4-angled, dark brown or black, moderately clothed in short antrorse hairs especially on angles, c. 10–11 × 1–1.3 mm; pappus scales fused toward base, the longest c. 11–12 mm and with minute marginal antrorse hairs.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Apr.