Fetid marigold

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Fetid marigold

Fetid marigold

Fetid marigold

Fetid marigold

Fetid marigold

Fetid marigold

Fetid marigold

Fetid marigold habit

Morphology

Stem

Erect or spreading, mostly single, bushy-branched, very leafy, glabrous or sparsely hairy.

Leaves

Opposite or uppermost alternate, sessile or short-stalked, .5 to 2 inches long, .5 to 1.5 inches wide, deeply pinnately divided; segments narrowly linear, .5 to 2 inches long, sometimes divided again; margins toothed, dotted with brownish orange oil glands.

Inflorescence

Clusters of heads, numerous, small, sessile or short-stalked, near ends of branches; involucres cup-shaped; bracts in 2 series; outer bracts 4-9, short, green; principal inner bracts 6-12, brownish to purplish, with prominent orange oil glands.

Flower

Ray florets 8 or fewer, inconspicuous, yellow to orange; disk florets 12-50, dull yellow.

Fruit

Achenes, stout, hairy, black, tipped with 8-20 scales, each scale divided at apex into 5-10 bristles, enclosing small seed.

Ecology

Habitat

Open, disturbed areas, waste ground, fields, pastures, farmyards, and roadsides, most abundant in rocky soils.

Distribution

Throughout Kansas.

Practical Information

Uses

Plains Indians gave the plant to horses to treat coughs and would induce nosebleeds by using the powdered leaves as snuff, believing this would relieve headaches. The Navajo used the chewed leaves to treat ant bites and pioneers used the leaves to make a tea to settle the stomach.

Additional Notes