Tagetes patula, the French marigold,[3][4] is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Mexico and Guatemala with several naturalised populations in many other countries.

It is widely cultivated as an easily grown bedding plant with hundreds of cultivars, which often have bright yellow to orange flowers.

The heads contain mostly hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs) florets and are pollinated primarily by beetles in the wild, as well as by tachinid flies and other insects.

[14] Hundreds of cultivars have been developed, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-[15] The dried and ground flower petals constitute a popular spice in the Republic of Georgia in the Caucasus, where they are known as imeruli shaphrani (= 'Imeretian Saffron') from their pungency and golden colour and particular popularity in the Western province of Imereti.

It is also an essential ingredient in the spice mixture khmeli suneli (reputedly as significant to Georgian cuisine as garam masala is to that of North India).

[33] Tagetes patula florets are grown and harvested annually to add to poultry feed to help give the yolks a golden color.

[34] The essential oil is being investigated for antifungal activity, including treatment of candidiasis[35] and treating fungal infections in plants.