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Calendula officinalis

Calendula officinalis

8.1
A garden plant with bright yellow or orange flowers used in teas and skin creams
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : caléndula
  • Many gardeners plant Calendula officinalis for its cheerful yellow flowers and natural pest-repellent qualities.

Examples

  • The petals of Calendula officinalis are often used in herbal salves and teas for their soothing properties.

  • Calendula officinalis thrives best in sunny spots and well-drained soil.

  • The Calendula officinalis is often found in many gardens.

  • Many people use Calendula officinalis for its healing properties.

  • Many gardeners plant Calendula officinalis for its cheerful yellow flowers and natural pest-repellent qualities.

  • The petals of Calendula officinalis are often used in herbal salves and teas for their soothing properties.

  • Calendula officinalis thrives best in sunny spots and well-drained soil.

Synonyms

calendula
vsCalendula officinalis
1 7.5

A small plant with bright yellow or orange flowers used in medicine and food

refers specifically to one species within that genus, not the whole group
Scotch marigold
vsCalendula officinalis
  • UK
6.8

A plant with bright yellow or orange flowers often grown in gardens and used in herbal teas

is the formal botanical species name used in gardens and herbal contexts
pot marigold
vsCalendula officinalis
5.8

A common garden plant with bright yellow or orange flowers

refers to the species by its scientific label rather than the garden nickname
common marigold
vsCalendula officinalis
3.7

A garden plant with bright yellow or orange flowers that people use for skin care

is the species' formal botanical name used in scientific and formal contexts
ruddles
vsCalendula officinalis
  • Archaic
9.9

A small garden flower with bright orange or yellow petals that blooms in summer

is the precise botanical species name rather than a local or traditional name
neven
vsCalendula officinalis
  • UK
9.9

A marigold plant used to decorate gardens and make simple medicine

is the scientific species name used beyond regional naming traditions

Surface Forms

Morphology

calendula + officinalis

This is a straightforward botanical binomial: 'Calendula' names the flowering plant and 'officinalis' explicitly denotes a plant with recognised medicinal use. A learner who knows both constituent meanings can directly infer that Calendula officinalis is the medicinal/common marigold species, so the meaning is compositional and predictable rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Calendula officinalis may come from Latin: Calendula comes from the word 'calends', the 'first day of the month', because the flowers open often and the plant blooms for many months, and officinalis was a label for plants sold in old medicine shops. So the name explains why this common marigold was used for 'medicine' and prized for its long flowering.