Marigold
Description
A common name for the yellow/orange flowers from both the genus Tagetes and the genus Calendula. Marigolds are herbaceous perennial plants that have been naturalized around the world. Plants in the genus Tagetes are native to Central American while those in the Calendula genus are likely native to Europe. One other species,Caltha palustris, grows in marshlands or stream beds and is also commonly called marsh marigold.
The yellow flower heads from all of these species of marigolds contain several carotenoids, and flavonoids compounds, which produce natural yellow dyes ranging in shades from a soft yellow to a bright gold. When mordanted with chrome on wool, the yellow dye has good stability to light and washing. Copper mordants have been used to produce a greenish yellow, while iron mordants give an olive-green to brown.
Synonyms and Related Terms
marsh marigolds; Kingcup marigold; Natural Yellow 27; Caltha palustris
Resources and Citations
- R.J. Adrosko, Natural Dyes in the United States, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC, 1968
- Helmut Schweppe, Schweppe color collection index and information book
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "marigold" [Accessed May 6, 2002].
- Colour Index International online at www.colour-index.org
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 5436
- Wikipedia: Calendula_officinalis Accessed May 2026
- Wikipedia: Tagetes Accessed May 2026
- Wikipedia: Caltha palustris Accessed May 2026
- The Plant Lady: select Natural Dye Table