TAGETES MINUTA

Family:- COMPOSITAE

Common Names:- Khakiweed, Mexican marigold.

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Tagetes (L) For Tages, Etruscan god of the underworld and grandson of

Jupiter.

Minuta (L) Very small, minute, inconspicuous.

General description:- Erect, glabrous, strong smelling annual.

Stems:-

1) up to 100 cm, with short branches.

Leaves:-

1) 3-15 x 3-10 cm, pinnatisect; segments 3-7, 2-8 x 0·2-0·6 cm, linear-lanceolate,

only the lower leaves opposite.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula numerous in dense terminal corymbs.

2) Involucre 8-12 x 1·5-2 mm, cylindrical, of 3-4 yellowish-green bracts.

3) Ligules usually 1-3 mm, obovate-spathulate, yellowish-green.

4) Tubular florets 4-5, 3-4 mm, green.

Fruit:-

1) Achenes 4-6 x 0·5-1 mm, linear, black, with appressed white hairs.

2) Pappus of 5 scales 0·5-3 mm.

Habitat:- Cultivated, fallow and waste ground, roadsides, pathways, grassy areas.

0-600 m.

Distribution:- Native to S. America, locally naturalised in S. Europe. Limited

distribution on Crete mainly in the west. Introduced.

Flowering time:- Sept-Nov.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis