Łódź, Botanical Garden

It is native to Mexico and Central America. Ornamental plant. Edible plant - the petals of the flowers of some varieties can be eaten; the fresh receptacle is eaten by children; a yellow dye obtained from the flowers can be used as a saffron substitute for colouring and flavouring foods; the plant is used as a condiment (?). Herbal plant - The whole herb is anthelmintic, aromatic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, sedative and stomachic; it is used internally in the treatment of indigestion, colic, severe constipation, coughs and dysentery; externally, it is used to treat sores, ulcers, eczema. sore eyes and rheumatism; the leaves are harvested as required for immediate use during the growing season, whilst the flowering plant can be dried and stored for later use; a paste of the leavs is applied externally to treat boils, carbuncles and earaches; the flowers are carminitive, diuretic and vermifuge; a decoction is used to treat colds, and mumps; it is applied externally to treat skin diseases, conjunctivitis and sore eyes; the root is laxative. Useful plant - secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs.