Calendula officinalis, the pot marigold, common marigold or Scotch marigold, is a plant in the genus Calendula of the family Asteraceae. It may be native to southern Europe, though its long history of cultivation makes its precise origin unknown.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a short-lived perennial in warmer climates, but it is usually grown as an annual flower in garden beds and containers. Although commonly known as pot marigold, calendula is different from the common marigold (Tagetes spp.). It is, however, part of the same Asteracea family, along with daisies and chrysanthemums, with whom it shared the same daisy-like flower appearance. The common name of pot marigold derives because the gold flowers that bloomed during the festivals of the Virgin Mary in Renaissance times (mary + gold = marigold) were often used in cooking.
