CALENDULA(2008 of year)

Edible flowers and/or petals give a delicate flavor and strong color to salads, omelettes and cheese and is used as a saffron substitute. Medicinally, the flowers are used in first aid ointments, skin lotions and antiseptic tinctures. High in carotenoid for use as a dye. Annual growing to 24", taking sun to part shade. "Erferter Orangefarbige" is a commercial strain with large, bright orange blossoms with both light and dark centers. Full aroma and high resin content gives it superior medicinal action for tinctures and oils. "Pacific Beatuy" is a popular mix of orange and yellow blossoms with dark centers. "Resina" has medium size, mostly yellow (a few orange) flowers with high resin content. "Alpha" is an early blooming selection with an appealing range of orange shades and blossom sizes. Also has a high resin content more suitable for medicinal use.