MARYGOLD, in botany: A genus of plants belonging to the class of Syngenesia, and order of Polygamia superflua; and in the natural system ranging under the 4th order. The receptacle is naked; the pappus consists of five erect awns or beards; the calyx is monophyllous, quinquedentate, and tubular; and there are four persistent florets of the ray. There are three species, the patula, erecta, and minuta; of which the two first have been cultivated in the British gardens, at least, since the year 1596, for it is mentioned in Gerard's Herbal, which was published that year. They are both natives of Mexico.

The erecta, or African marigold, has a stem subdivided and spreading, and has formed itself into a great many varieties: 1. Pale yellow, or brimstone colour, with single, double, and fistulous flowers. 2. Deep yellow, with single, double, and fistulous flowers. 3. Orange-coloured, with single, double, and fistulous flowers. 4. Middling African, with orange-coloured flowers. 5. Sweet-scented African. These are all very subject to vary; so that unless the seeds are very carefully saved from the finest flowers, they are apt to degenerate: nor should the same seeds be too long sown in the same garden, for the same reason; therefore, those who are desirous to have these flowers in perfection should exchange their seeds with some person of integrity at a distance, where the soil is of a different nature, at least every other year. If this is done, the varieties may be continued in perfection. This plant is well known as needing no description. It flowers from the beginning of July till the frost puts a stop to it.

The patula has a simple erect stem, and the peduncles are scaly and multiformous.

It has been long in the British gardens, where it is distinguished from the first by the title of French marigold. Of this there are several varieties, some of which have much larger flowers than others, and their colour varies greatly: there are some which are beautifully variegated, and others quite plain; but as these are accidents arising from culture, so they do not merit farther distinction; for we have always found that seeds saved from the most beautiful flowers will degenerate, especially if they are sown in the same garden for two or three years together, without changing the seed.

These plants have a strong disagreeable scent, especially when handled; for which reason they are not so greatly esteemed for planting near habitations: but the flowers of the sweet-scented sort being more agreeable, are generally preferred, especially for planting in small gardens.