Calendula officinalis; pot marigold

Japanese: キンセンカ(金盞花) - キンセンカ（英語表記）Calendula officinalis; pot marigold

An annual plant of the Asteraceae family. Native to Southern Europe. The leaves are broadly elliptical or lanceolate, and grow alternately on an upright stem. The stem branches well, and bears orange-yellow or bright yellow flower heads at the top. It is said to have been introduced to Japan during the Kaei era (around 1850), and has been used as a cut flower in early spring since the Taisho era. It is easy to grow outdoors, so it is also used in flower beds. It is often used as a flower offering at the spring equinox, so it has a strong impression as a Buddhist flower. Traditionally, large double-flowered varieties with flower heads reaching 10 cm in diameter have been popular, but recently semi-double-flowered varieties with flower heads of 3 to 4 cm in diameter and small single-flowered varieties have also been distributed as cut flowers. They are often called by the genus name Calendula. It prefers sunny and well-drained environments. Seeds are sown in late September.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

キク科の一年草。南ヨーロッパ原産。葉は広楕円形または披針形で，直立した茎に互生する。茎はよく分枝し，頂部に橙黄色や鮮黄色の頭状花をつける。日本への渡来は嘉永年間 (1850年頃) とされ，大正時代から早春の切り花として利用されてきた。露地栽培が容易なため，花壇にも使われる。春の彼岸の供花としてよく用いられるため，仏花としての印象が強い。従来，頭状花の直径が 10cmに達する大輪の八重咲き品種が好まれてきたが，最近では，直径3～4cmの半八重咲き品種や一重咲きの小輪品種も切り花として流通。それらはカレンデュラの属名で呼ばれることが多い。日当りと水はけのよい環境を好む。9月下旬に種をまく。

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