Definition

Noun: 1. A type of flowering plant: Any of numerous, mostly annual, herbaceous plants belonging to the genus Calendula, characterized by their bright yellow or orange, daisy-like flower heads. 2. A cultivated herb: A plant widely grown in gardens, notable for its ornamental flowers which are also used for medicinal purposes (e.g., in skin salves) and sometimes in culinary applications (e.g., as a colorful, edible garnish or a "poor man's saffron").

Examples

• The garden was full of calendulas, their orange blooms glowing in the sun.
• She made a healing ointment from calendula petals.
• Calendula is sometimes called "pot marigold," though it is different from common marigolds.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botanical and horticultural writing, is used to refer specifically to the genus within the Asteraceae family. The most common species is , the pot marigold.
• Herbalism/Phytotherapy: In these fields, consistently refers to the plant's flowers (flos calendulae) used for their purported anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and wound-healing properties.

Variants and Related Words

• Pot marigold: A common name for .
• Marigold: While often used interchangeably in casual speech, more accurately refers to plants in the genus , which are different from .

Synonyms

• Pot marigold (common name)
• Garden marigold (less precise common name)

Notes on Meaning

The core meaning of calendula is the specific plant genus. Its association with medicine and cuisine are common uses of the plant, not separate definitions of the word itself. The word is almost exclusively used as a noun.

Noun

1. any of numerous chiefly annual herbs of the genus Calendula widely cultivated for their yellow or orange flowers; often used for medicinal and culinary purposes