Research Questions

Growing Conditions:

            The French Vanilla Marigold is an annual plant, that can grow in many locations if the conditions are favourable. The flower requires full sun to grow, but once those needs are met, it is capable of growing up to 24 inches in height and is able to have flowers that can grow as wide as 3 inches in diameter as well. It needs a medium amount of water to grow best, and does well when it is placed with other plants. It is best to keep the French Vanilla Marigolds away from low temperatures and frost, as they are more likely not to survive. They only grow to about half the height of a normal Marigold, but they make up for that with their amazing vanilla colour and neutral flower smell.

Uses:

            French Vanilla Marigolds are a part of the larger and more general family of Marigold flowers. It is considered a very useful herb that can help repair and treat damaged skin caused by eczema, rashes or other problems. It can also help settle inflammation anywhere on the body, no matter what it is caused by and help the body fight off viral infections. French Vanilla Marigold's also have very powerful anti- insect traits that allow them to survive compared to other species that are preyed upon by insects and other pests. French Vanilla Marigold are beautiful plants that look great in gardens and for show, but they also serve a major purpose in helping other species of plants and vegetable around them in surviving. Because of the powerful anti insecticidal traits within them, they repel many different types of moths and flying bugs that eat growing vegetable plants. They also produce chemicals in their roots which kill larvae of insects, preventing them from eating plant life around the Marigold. At the same time, the smell that French Vanilla Marigolds produce are disliked by many types of insects, while humans find it quite appealing. French Vanilla Marigolds attract specific types of beneficial insects as well which either spread pollen or feed on the harmful insects in the area. The petals of the French Vanilla Marigold's flowers are also edible, and can be used as a citrus flavoured garnish or a small part of a bigger recipe.

Taxonomy:

            French Vanilla Marigolds are a part of the massive Kingdom known as Plantae which contains organisms that all create their own food through photosynthesis. The Phylum they are a part of is named Tracheophyta, and it is a . The Class French Vanilla Marigolds belong to is Spermatopsida and their Order is Asterales. The Family these flowers hail form is known as Compositae and it is a family of flowering plants, which is why this flower is within this family. French Vanilla Marigolds genus is called Tagetes, and so their species name is Tagetes erecta.

Relationships with other forms of life:

            French Vanilla Marigolds are very powerful flowers that can protect and help many different species living around it survive just a little better. It has anti insecticidal traits within it that can repel pests, larvae and other harmful insects which means safety for many other plants. French Vanilla Marigolds are most often planted near other flowers or plants as decoration and protection. They do not compete with species around them very much and are more beneficial than harmful. Even though they are insect repelling, they are also insect attracting, and can attract organisms that are beneficial to themselves and species around them by using the scents and bright colours of their flowers.

Historical Uses:

            French Vanilla Marigolds and many of its relatives have a long history in terms of medical use. They were used very often to treat things like severe and mild headaches, tooth aches, swelling and inflammation in or on many parts of the body and also for strengthening the heart. During the U.S. Civil War and World War One, French Vanilla Marigolds and its relatives were used to calm down and treat open wounds of all types. They were also used to prevent infections caused by harmful toxins and bacteria. The flowers were turned into either a poultice or an infused oil so that they could be easily and less painfully applied onto the wounds. In the past, the bright coloured French Vanilla Marigolds were used in festivals and in peoples gardens as well as in their homes for decoration.