The Common Marigold is familiar to everyone, with its pale-green leaves & golden orange flowers. It is said to be in bloom on the calends of every month, hence its Latin name, & one of the names by which it is known in Italy - fiore d’ogni mese - countenances this derivation. It was not named after the Virgin, its name being a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon merso-meargealla, the Marsh Marigold. Old English authors called it Golds or Ruddes. It was, however, later associated with the Virgin Mary, & in the seventeenth century with Queen Mary. An infusion of the dried flowers makes a delightful calming tea & when cool can be alied toically for mild skin irritations as it is soothing. Marigold Flowers | Flowers Heads Or Powdered Flowers - Calendula Officinalis
