Thursday, May 20, 2010

The Cultural Significance of Marigold Flower

The species Tagetes lucida, known as "Pericón" is used to prepare a sweetish, anise flavored medicinal tea in Mexico.

The marigold is very significant in Nepalese culture where marigold garlands are used almost in every household especially during the Tihar festival.

The marigold was regarded as the flower of the dead in pre-Hispanic Mexico, parallel to the lily in Europe, and is still widely used in the Day of the Dead celebrations. The marigold is also widely cultivated in India and Thailand, particularly the species T. erecta, T. patula, and T. tenuifolia. Vast quantities of marigolds are used in garlands and decoration for weddings, festivals, and religious events. Marigold cultivation is extensively seen in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Karnataka, UP etc. It can grow well in almost any sort of well drained soil but is best grown in partly sandy soil with good drainage. Although only hybrid varieties are used for cultivation, a good number of pure plantations are available. It is highly temperature resistant. Most varieties are seasonal and dry out after some good flowering phases.

Tagetes minuta or Mexican Marigold, a tall upright marigold plant with small flowers, is used as a culinary herb in Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Chile and Bolivia, where it is called by the Incan term huacatay. Huacatay paste is used to make the popular potato dish called ocopa. Having both "green" and "yellow/orange" notes, the taste and odor of fresh Tagetes minuta is like a mixture of sweet basil, tarragon, mint and citrus.


Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes

See Also : Malaysia Florist, Dubai Flower, Dubai Flowers

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