Field marigold

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• field marigold
• field-marigold
• wild marigold

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Calendula sancta subsp. cristagalli
• Calendula persica var. gracilis
• Calendula aegyptiaca var. microcephala
• Calendula arvensis proles sublanata
• Calendula arvensis subsp. hydruntina
• Calendula arvensis subsp. sublanata
• Calendula arvensis var. macroptera
• Calendula arvensis subsp. micrantha
• Calendula arvensis pygmaea
• Calendula persica var. microcephala
• Calendula officinalis var. hydruntina
• Caltha arvensis
• Calendula malvaecarpa
• Calendula sublanata
• Calendula sylvestris
• Calendula aegyptiaca
• Calendula arvensis var. bicolor
• Calendula alata
• Calendula amplexifolia
• Calendula arvensis subsp. macroptera
• Calendula bicolor
• Calendula brachyglossa
• Calendula byzantina
• Calendula cristagalli
• Calendula echinata
• Calendula gracilis
• Calendula malacitana
• Calendula micrantha
• Calendula microcephala
• Calendula persica
• Calendula sancta
• Calendula sicula
• Calendula subinermis
• Calendula undulata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Calendula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes territories such as Great Britain and Sweden. Moving toward the central part of the continent, the species is also well-established in Middle Europe. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Austria and Belgium. Furthermore, its range extends through the Middle European landscapes of Czechia and Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calendula arvensis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and specific environmental preferences. This species is found across a wide elevational range, beginning at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extending up to a maximum altitude of 1400 m AMSL. In terms of its preferred habitats, it is notably capable of inhabiting coastal environments, where it adapts to the unique conditions of maritime landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Life history

The life history of Calendula arvensis is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning it completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant survives the unfavorable seasons primarily in the form of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become suitable for growth. It exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its vegetative structures as it concludes its seasonal cycle. This specialized life strategy allows the species to colonize disturbed habitats effectively, relying on rapid development and prolific seeding to ensure the continuity of its population.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Calendula arvensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant is an independent organism, lacking both parasitic and epiphytic lifestyles. In terms of stature, it exhibits a variable plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, with a mean height of approximately 0.15 m. The plant's shoot orientation is primarily prostrate, and it functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a liana or vine. The shoot length is also quite variable, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 60 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.15 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot length max:

60 cm

Shoot length min:

5 cm

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calendula arvensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a reliance on standard carbon fixation processes typical of many temperate herbaceous plants. As a non-carnivorous species, it derives its nutritional requirements through soil-based nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. The vegetative architecture is defined by an alternate leaf arrangement, with leaves exhibiting a narrow-elliptic form. These leaves vary significantly in dimension, with a minimum length of 2 cm reaching a maximum of 6 cm, while their width ranges from a narrow 0.3 cm to a maximum of 1.8 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 1 cm. The average leaf surface area is measured at 9.48 cm², and the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 293.3 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its strategy for light interception and resource allocation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

narrow-elliptic

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf size mean:

9.48 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.8 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

293.3 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calendula arvensis is primarily a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The plant features bisexual flowers that are characterized by an orange color and range in size from 0.25 to 0.4 cm in length and 0.7 to 2.5 cm in width. The flowering period typically begins in February and concludes in April. Pollination is driven by biotic factors, specifically through an insect pollination syndrome. While self-fertilization is present, the plant relies on these insect visitors to facilitate its reproductive cycle. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits categorized as achenes. These fruits are prolific, yielding between 101 and 1000 seeds per fruit. The seeds themselves are relatively uniform in dimension, with a mean length of 8.5 mm and a mean width of 3 mm. The seed mass varies slightly, ranging from a minimum of 0.0026 g to a maximum of 0.00988 g, with a calculated mean mass of approximately 0.00534 g. Dispersal of the seeds is achieved through a combination of unspecialized methods and zoochorous mechanisms, allowing the species to spread within its environment.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

orange

Flower length max:

0.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.25 cm

Flower width max:

2.5 cm

Flower width min:

0.7 cm

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

8.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00988 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00534166666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0026 g

Seed width mean:

3 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Calendula arvensis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, fruit.

Flower

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Fruit

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Calendula arvensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Saponins, 5A, Fatty acids, Flavonoid.

Flavonoids

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Saponins

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

5A

1. Planta medica

Fatty acids

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Flavonoid

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

RUTIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Sterols

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Tannins

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

caffeic acid-hexoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Calendula arvensis has 6 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimutagenic, Antiviral.

Antimicrobial

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal de mycologie medicale

Antioxidant

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal de mycologie medicale

Antibacterial

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Antimutagenic

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Antiviral

1. Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences

Cytotoxic

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Medicinal Uses

Calendula arvensis has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include wound, Candida tropicalis, liver cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations