Calendula originally had other flower names too - do you know these aliases?
Calendula aliases
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, golden marigold, changshengju, xingjiuhua, evergreen flower, and golden cup, is a plant of the genus Calendula in the Asteraceae family. It originated in southern Europe and is an improved variety of the small wild calendula.
Morphological characteristics of calendula
Calendula is a biennial herb of the Asteraceae family. The whole plant is covered with hairs. The leaves are alternate and oblong. The flower heads are solitary, with a flower diameter of5around cm, in colors such as yellow, orange, orange-red, and white, and there are also cultivated varieties with double petals, rolled petals, green centers, and dark purple flower centers. Different varieties of calendula also differ in their morphological characteristics.
The flower language of calendula
Calendula has another alias, called "the housewife's clock." Because this plant opens its flowers at a fixed time in the morning and then closes them at a fixed time in the evening, it is a rather punctual flower. Therefore, its flower language is "meticulous."
Anyone born under the blessing of this flower has a rigorous and meticulous personality. However, an overly rigid character will make it impossible to tolerate a romantic partner's habit of being late for dates, so romances mostly cannot last long.
Complete collection of calendula varieties
Common calendula varieties include Bon Bon (BonBon), plant height30cm, compact flowers, flower diameter5～7cm, flower colors include yellow, apricot yellow, orange, etc.
Gitana Festival (FiestaGitana), plant height25～30cm, an early-flowering type, double flowers, flower diameter5cm, flower colors include yellow, orange, and bicolor, etc.
The Cabrona (Kablouna) series, plant height50cm, a large-flowered type, flower colors include golden yellow, orange, lemon yellow, apricot yellow, etc., with dark flower centers, among which the1998new variety Mi Lemon Cabrona (KablounaLemonCream), with beige ligulate flowers and lemon-yellow flower centers.
Red Top (TouchofRed), plant height40～45cm, double flowers, flower diameter6cm, flower colors include red, yellow, and red/yellow bicolor, with the tip of each ligulate flower being red. The Gem (Gem) series, plant height30cm, double flowers, flower diameter6～7cm, flower colors include lemon yellow and golden yellow. Among them, Dwarf Gem (DwarfGem) is even more famous.
In addition, Saint Day Guitar, an extremely dwarf type, with large double flowers, flower diameter8～10cm. Xiangrui, an extremely dwarf type, with strong branching, large double flowers, flower diameter7～8cm.
There are also Lemon Queen (LemonQueen) and Orange King (OrangeKing), etc.
The effects and benefits of calendula
Ornamental effect: The calendula plant is dwarf-growing, with dense blooms and brilliantly vivid flower colors, and it also has a long flowering period, making it the most common herbaceous flower in early-spring gardens and cities. Calendula has a very strong resistance to sulfur dioxide and also has a certain resistance to cyanide and hydrogen sulfide. It is an excellent pollution-resistant flower and also the main material for spring flower beds; it can be used as a cut flower and as a potted plant.
Skincare effect: Calendula has an extremely strong healing ability, sterilizes and firms wounds, treats inflammation, acne, and enlarged pores, and prevents the formation of scars; it soothes the skin and improves sensitive skin. It has the effect of repairing scars; it moisturizes dry lips and promotes skin metabolism. Especially for dry skin, it has a high moisturizing effect.
Medicinal and edible value: Calendula is rich in various vitamins, especially vitaminAand vitaminC; almost all parts can be eaten; its petals have a beauty function, and the flowers contain carotenoids, lycopene, violaxanthin, rubixanthin, volatile oil, resin, mucilage, malic acid, etc. The roots contain bitter principles and arnidiol; the seeds contain glycerides, wax alcohol, and alkaloids. Putting it into shampoo can make hair color lighter.
Calendula is mild and neutral in nature and flavor, and its flowers and leaves have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. The root can promote qi and invigorate blood, while the flowers can cool the blood and stop bleeding. In European folk medicine, it is used externally for various inflammations of the skin and mucous membranes, and can also be taken orally to treat various inflammations and ulcers.