The production of Mexican marigolds is one of the most anticipated events of autumn: these flowers light up the Day of the Dead celebrations with their fragrance and color, celebrating the lives of the departed. So today we introduce you to this iconic seasonal flower.
The marigold production season in Mexico has arrived, and with it its unmistakable aroma, which, according to belief, serves as a guide to those who are no longer on earth and visit its offerings on the Day of the Dead. Read on to learn where this traditional flower comes from and what it is used for.
Where do marigold flowers come from?
Fragrant marigold flowers are grown primarily in the following states:
- Puebla
- Tlaxcala
- gentleman
- san luis potosi
- warrior
- Oaxaca
- morelos state
- Durango
- Sonora
- Mexico City.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Social Development, the soil of these entities is more conducive to the growth of 35 species of this plant in Mexico.
However, although Sipaschi is unique to the American continent, the origins of its seeds have been studied over the years.Alberto Basurto, director of the Botanical Gardens of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), explains to the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) The production of this flower is now dominated by China and Indiathey improved the species Crossbreeding and genetic selection.
According to UAM, from 1980 to 2000, Mexico was an agro-industrial leader in growing marigold, meaning it could not only be used in offerings, but also used to paint food using its natural pigments or as a medicinal plant.
Cipaschi production in 2022
According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, marigold production in 2022 will be approximately 27 million plants. This is equivalent to 20,245 tons of this flower.
This is the output of each entity that year:
- Puebla: 557 hectares.
- Tlaxcala: 118 hectares
- Hidalgo: 111 hectares
- San Luis Potosi: 79 hectares
- Guerrero: 69 hectares
- Oaxaca: 43 hectares
- Morelos: 32 hectares
- Durango: 18 hectares
- Sonora: two hectares.
Mexican marigold flowers
Marigold is a flower that has been an important part of Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations since pre-Hispanic times. The Mexica believed its aroma could attract the dead, so they began placing it in offerings.However, marigold flowers are not only used on Day of the Dead, as this plant Marigold It has a variety of medicinal and commercial uses.
According to INECOL (Institute of Ecology) of CONAHCYT (National Council for Humanities, Science and Technology), flowers marigold Also known as the “flower of the dead,” they have medicinal properties in addition to being decorative items for offerings. One of its variants, marigold, It is traditionally used to regulate the menstrual cycle, as an insect repellent, and to combat other ailments such as acne, colds, and bronchitis.
In trade, oil extracted from marigolds is used to make repellants and insecticides against certain insects and is even used to control pests, in addition to being used in perfumes.