''Calendula maroccana'' is a species of annual flowering plant in the marigold genus ''

Calendula ''Calendula'' () is a genus of about 15–20 species''Calendula''.
Flora of China.

'', family

Asteraceae Asteraceae () is a large family (biology), family of flowering plants that consists of over 32,000 known species in over 1,900 genera within the Order (biology), order Asterales. The number of species in Asteraceae is rivaled only by the Orchi ...

. It grows primarily in a subtropical biome, and is endemic to

Morocco Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It has coastlines on the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to Algeria–Morocc ...

. ''Calendula maroccana'' also contains the subspecies '' Calendula maroccana murbeckii.''

Description

''C. maroccana'' is a spreading perennial, non-succulent herb, standing 20cm-40cm high, with glandular hairs. Foliage is green, with massed, yellow flowers peaking in spring and summer but sporadic throughout the year.The leaves are alternate, 2.5-10cm long to 20mm wide, flat, and hairy to rough in texture, with margins mostly wavy and toothed, and tips more or less pointed. The flower heads, composed of yellow or orange

florets This glossary of botanical terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to botany and plants in general. Terms of plant morphology are included here as well as at the more specific Glossary of plant morphology and Glossary ...

with yellow or brown centres, are borne singly at the ends of the stems. They have 2.5–4 cm long outer

achenes An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not open ...

, 2–2.5 cm long beaks, sometimes crested or toothed. Intermediate achenes are elongated; inner achenes are smaller, curved, with scattered hairs. ''Calendula maroccana'' is similar to '' Calendula. arvensis,'' but is distinguished by a more slender habit, and a larger flower with tapered involucral

bracts In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves in size, color, shape or texture. They also loo ...

Habitat

''Calendula maroccana'' grows best in scrubland, on well-drained, stony ground or sand. It is not considered to be an endangered species.

Medicinal Use

''Calendula moroccana'' contains antioxidant and antibacterial agents that could be used in phytotherapy, pharmaceutical and food sectors.

References

maroccana Endemic flora of Morocco Plants described in 1893 {{Taxonbar, from=Q12198886