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Desert Marigold

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Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)

Description: Showy desert marigold is a 12-18 in., mound-shaped biennial or short-lived perennial. Its daisy-like flowers form impressive mounds of nearly solid yellow. The long-lasting, bright-yellow flowers rise on nearly leafless stems above the mounds of woolly, gray foliage. A grayish, woolly plant, branched and leafy mostly in the lower half, with brilliant yellow flowers in heads, one borne at the end of each of many nearly leafless flower stalks. The flowers, which occur sporadically over a long bloom period, turn papery with age.

Dense patches often form solid strips of yellow along miles of desert roadsides. In gardens, a single plant grows into a perfect hemisphere of yellow, blooming throughout the hot summer and into fall.

The name Marigold, given to several species of Asteraceae with sunny yellow or orange flowers, comes from “Mary’s Gold,” in honor of the Virgin.

Family:  Asteraceae

Synonym(s):  Desert Marigold, Showy Desert Marigold, Paper Daisy, Desert Baileya, Baileya multiradiata var. thurberi

USDA Symbol:  BAMU

Duration:  Annual

Habit: Herb

Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Color: Yellow

Bloom Time: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Water Use:  Low

Light Requirements:  Part Shade

Soil Moisture:  Dry

Bloom Notes:  Desert marigold is a well-behaved plant that thrives in poor, dry soils and extreme heat. It is subject to crown rot if the soil is too wet. A stand of desert marigold will self-sow in favorable conditions. The seedling rosettes require a period of cold dormancy to set buds.

ATTRIBUTION:  All of the Texas Wildflower images in this post are copyrighted and are the exclusive property of Terry B. Kahler. Reproduction without explicit written consent is prohibited. Some of the information contained in this section was taken from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center website and is being used under their terms of use. Redistribution from this site is prohibited. Additional information contained in this section was taken from the USDA website including the USDA code.

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