Tree marigold

What does Tree marigold look like?

Tree marigold grows as a woody shrub, usually 2 to 3 meters tall, with upright stems. Its leaves are large, lobed, and slightly grayish on the underside, often 10 to 40 centimeters long. The plant produces big, showy flowers that are yellow to orange, measuring 5 to 15 centimeters across, with a light honey scent. The seeds are small, four-angled, and spread by wind, water, or animals.

Where does Tree marigold come from?

Native to Mexico and Central America, tree marigold was first domesticated there and later spread to Central and South America and the southern United States. It was introduced to Africa and Asia as an ornamental, where it has become widespread and sometimes invasive. The plant is found in humid and semi-humid areas, often along rivers and roadsides, and grows best at altitudes between 550 and 1950 meters.

When and how Tree marigold blooms

Tree marigold thrives in a range of conditions, preferring areas with 1000–2000 mm of annual rainfall and temperatures from 15–31°C. It can be grown from seeds or cuttings and is often planted in hedges or along field edges. The plant blooms mainly from April to June. For use as green manure, its green stems, leaves, and flowers are cut every five months and applied to soil as mulch or fertilizer.

How Tree marigold is used

People grow tree marigold for its ornamental flowers and as a green manure to improve soil fertility, especially for crops like tomatoes and maize. In Vietnam and Thailand, it is a local emblem and is used in festivals and public plantings. In Japan and Taiwan, it appears in herbal markets and has been used traditionally to help induce fever. Its flowers can also attract beneficial insects in agriculture.

Kinds of Tree marigold

The plant is known by many names in different regions, such as kembang bulan in Indonesia and dã quỳ in Vietnam. In Japan, it is called Nitobe chrysanthemum, linked to the story of its introduction by Nitobe Inazo. Its role as a provincial or city flower varies by country, with special status in places like Da Lat and Mae Hong Son.

What Tree marigold means

Tree marigold is the official symbol of Da Lat city in Vietnam and the provincial flower of Mae Hong Son in Thailand. In Japan, its introduction is associated with the Meiji period and Nitobe Inazo. The plant is valued for its soil-enriching properties and is sometimes used in traditional remedies. Its bright flowers are a familiar sight in festivals and public gardens in several Asian countries.

Where to see Tree marigold

🇻🇳 Da Lat · Jan to DecDa Lat, city of flowersA cool highland town that grows much of Vietnam's cut flowers and holds a flower festival.

Questions people ask about Tree marigold

Good reading and sources

• NParksNational Parks Board, Singapore, Article
• USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Tithonia diversifolia on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data