Calendula officinalis
Calendula officinalis, common name (among others) buttercup, calendula, Flor del Muerto, mercadela, maravilla, is a herb of the Asteraceae family.
Description
Annual to perennial, herbaceous, aromatic, glandular plant, woody only at the base. The stem, 20 to 55 cm tall, is erect or procumbent, branched, and generally leaves almost to the top. The 7-14 x 1-4 cm leaves are alternate, simple, oblong-lanceolate, narrowly obovate, oblong or spatulate. The flowers are ray florets and yellow or orange, with flowering that lasts practically all year, closing at night and opening at dawn due to its photonasty. The inflorescences in chapters 3-5cm wide, can be yellow or orange. The fruits are curved achenes, almost all provided on the back with membranous wings or dorsal spikes that alternate with other shorter cimbiforms, navicular in shape. The smell given off by the flowers is unpleasant and its taste is bitter.
History
Despite the large number of names by which this species is known, no one knows for sure where it actually came from. It is supposed to be from the Mediterranean area and in all probability it is no more than the result of crossing other species of the genus Calendula, perhaps from C. arvensis, the wild wonder, and some other.
This is a plant that has been used in the Mediterranean region since the time of the ancient Greeks, and was previously known to Hindus and Arabs for its therapeutic qualities as a medicinal herb as well as a fabric dye., food products and cosmetics, although many of the popular uses attributed to it have not been scientifically proven.
The medicinal use of buttercup is old, as evidenced by its presence in the Capitulare de villis vel curtis imperii, an order issued by Charlemagne calling on his fields to cultivate a number of herbs and seasonings including "solsequiam" currently identified as Calendula officinalis.
Cultivation
Hemicryptophyte that is not very demanding regarding the type of soil, although it prefers clayey soils. It is a temperate climate plant, but it resists frost and drought. Cultivated in Europe since the 12th century, it exists locally naturalized in southern and western Europe, and casual everywhere.
Marigillions serve as food for various species of Lepidoptera larvae. Among them Mamestra brassicae, Naenia typica, Noctua pronuba and Xestia c-nigrum.
It is highly attacked by aphids, which must be taken into account for floral groupings in gardens.
Uses
Ornamental use
It is well known in gardening. It is very often cultivated in gardens from which it escapes easily. It is used as an ornamental plant and for centuries it has been used as a medicinal plant due to its therapeutic qualities.
Food use
In gastronomy, its petals can be used as a substitute for saffron.
Medicinal uses
Commission E considers that the calendula flower has an anti-inflammatory and strongly healing action when applied topically. With calendula flower extracts, it shows a stimulating action on the epithelization of wounds and anti-inflammatory activity in edemas where prostaglandin is involved (triterpenes, especially faradiol, have proven to be the most important anti-inflammatory principles).
In popular medicine it is used for its antibacterial, fungicidal and antispasmodic action. It is also considered an emmenagogue, as a regulator and calming of menstrual pain. It is a good emollient as it softens, tones and hydrates the skin. In fact, more and more cosmetic products include it among their components. It has also been considered a callicide, helping to eliminate viral skin warts, due to its acetylsalicylic acid content. It is choleretic, stimulating liver activity, especially bile secretion. It is also effective in gastritis, gastroenteritis and vomiting due to its anti-ulcer action since it helps to heal gastric ulcers.
Toxicity
Only its topical use is contraindicated in patients sensitive to asteraceae, since a weak skin sensitization has been experimentally seen, but no clear cases of contact dermatitis have been recorded.
Cultivars
Numerous cultivars are selected for their many flower variations, from pale yellow to reddish-orange. With multicorollas of radial florets that replace part or all of the floral discs. Some of these varieties are: 'Alfa' (dark orange), 'Jane Harmony', 'Sun Glow' (bright yellow), 'Lemon' (pale yellow), 'Orange Prince' (orange), 'Indian Prince' (dark reddish orange), 'Pink surprise' (multicorola with the inner ring darker than the outer), and 'Chrisantha' (yellow multicolor). The variety 'Variegata' it is a cultivar with variegated yellow leaves.[citation needed]
Taxonomy
Calendula officinalis was described by Carlos Linnaeus and published in Species Plantarum, vol. 2:921, 1753.
- Etymology
The generic name, "calendula", derives from the Latin calendulae which means "throughout the months", with which we wanted to underline the long flowering period that this plant has, the specific name, "officinalis", expresses its medicinal character.
- Sinonimia
- Calendula aurantiaca Kotschy ex Boiss.
- Calendula eriocarpa DC.
- Calendula hydruntina (Fiori) Lanza
- Calendula officinalis var. prolifera Hort.
- Calendula prolifera Hort. ex Steud.
- Calendula × santamariae Font Quer
- Continuous Calendula var. aurantiaca (Klotzsch ex Boiss.) Boiss.
- Caltha officinalis (L.) Moench
Common names
- marshmallow, caldo, calendula, office calendula, calta, caréndula, caréndula, clavel, orchard carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, carnage, cellar, wild carn, king crown, merchants, dog