Family: Asteraceae

Calendula officinalis, commonly known as garden marigold, is a flowering plant native to southern Europe. It produces bright yellow to orange blooms and grows as a hardy annual, reaching heights of about 12–24 inches (30–60 cm). Garden marigolds are widely cultivated for ornamental purposes, adding vibrant color to gardens and landscapes. Beyond their decorative appeal, the flowers and leaves have been traditionally used for culinary and medicinal purposes, including teas, salads, and herbal remedies for minor skin irritations and inflammation.

While garden marigold is generally considered low-risk and non-invasive in most regions, it can spread easily in favorable conditions and occasionally escape cultivation. In some areas, it may establish in disturbed soils or along garden edges, but it is not known to cause significant ecological impacts. Gardeners are encouraged to monitor its spread and manage volunteer plants if necessary to prevent it from becoming locally persistent.

High Risk Traits:

• Widely naturalized
  
• Broad climate suitability
  
• Unpalatable to deer and possibly other grazing animals
  
• May cause allergic reactions to susceptible individuals
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Reaches maturity in under 1 year
  
• Spread intentionally by people and possibly short distances by wind and gravity
  
• Often spread by discarded garden waste
  
• Seeds may persist in the soil

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Consumed by people
  
• Does not spread vegetatively
  
• Seeds not dispersed very far by natural means
  
• May be effectively controlled with herbicides
  
• Ornamental value