Calendula is a genus of about 15-20 species( of annual and perennial
herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae that are often known as
marigolds. They are native to southwestern Asia, western Europe,
Macaronesia, and the Mediterraneam Calendula species have been used
traditionally as culinary and medicinal herbs. The petals are edible and can
be used fresh in salads or dried and used to color cheese or as a
replacement for saffrom A yellow dye has been extracted from the flowers.