| Calendula maritima | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Calendula |
| Species: | C. maritima |
| Binomial name | |
| Calendula maritima Guss. (Giovanni Gussone) | |
| Synonyms | |
Calendula suffruticosa subsp.maritima (Guss.) Meikle | |
Calendula maritima, known as thesea marigold andtrailing calendula, is a very rare species from the family ofAsteraceae. Some scientists regarded it asCalendula suffruticosa subspeciesmaritima.[2]
Thishalophytic plant isendemic to the western part ofSicily in small coastalhabitats, and is a criticallyendangered species.[3] As of 2012, this plant could still be found in only five small sites in East Sicily. TheProvince of Trapani has chosen the plant as its official symbol.[4] The sea marigold occurs only on the Sicilian coast: on the island mainland betweenMarsala and the Monte Cofano; and on the two nearby islets Isola Grande dello Stagnone and Isola la Formica.[5] The most significant population is in a small 10-km2 (3.9-mi2)nature reserve area within theRiserva Naturale Saline di Trapani e Paceco.
It is on theIUCN Red List of critically endangered plant species.[6][1][7]
Thisperennial plant reaches a height between 20 and 40 cm (7.9 and 15.7 in). The stems can be easily lignified on the underparts and the leaves are covered with short sticky hairs. The young stems are at first erect, but later they begin to hang and spread on the soil.[8]
In contrast toCalendula officinalis (pot marigold), the leaves are fleshy and have a strong smell. The form of the leaves varies from egg-shaped to linear depending on their placement on the stems.
The basket-shapedblossoms consists of pale to bright yellow single-standing petals, and have a diameter between 3 and 5 cm (1.2 and 2.0 in). The main flowering period is from May to June.
TheC. maritima habitat outside the nature reserve is under serious threat of destruction due to urban development, such as expansion of theMarsala harbour. In addition, other threats and reasons for its rarity include air pollution in the nature reserve from the nearby salt-works and the competition ofinvasive species, such as the Hottentot fig 'ice plant' (Carpobrotus edulis), in all native locations. The exact number of the remainingnative plants is currently unknown.
The sea marigold is cultivated as anornamental plant, used as a floweringgroundcover and container plant.Cultivars such as the yellow flowering 'Skyfire' and 'Summerlovers Skyfire Yellow', are commonly planted ingardens, parks, and street andhighway median plantings; and inflower pots onpatios andbalconies.
