RE: [gardeners] Tagetes minuta
cvinson@mindspring.com (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 23:50:28 -0500
Margaret wrote:
> > I do mean T. minuta. I'm beginning to suspect that it's only the roots
> > that are toxic, although the leaves are not. The leaves are used in the
> > South American cooking.
George wrote:
If you ever get nematodes it might be the thing to do. Plus other
insects won't bite you nor humans either. Marigolds stink to me. The
Mexican Mint Marigold smells like anise to me, I guess that's where the
name yerba anise came from. Madalyn Hill in "Southern Herb Growing"
gives the Latin name of Tagetes lucida and touts it as a tarragon
substitute that can be grown in the south.
-----
George - T. minuta and T. lucida are two different members of the Tagetes
genus. T. lucinda is what those of us in the South and Texas commonly use as
tarragon equivalent and call Mexican Mint Marigold or sweet mace. T. minuta
is a totally different species in both growth characteristics and uses.
Catharine/Atlanta