Calendula is a medicinal plant native to southern Europe and the Orient. It is grown as an annual, used for planting on flower beds and for cutting flowers. It is a herb with richly branched stems and elongated leaves. The plant reaches a height of about 70 - 80 cm. The root is spindle-shaped. Flower heads are up to 8 cm in diameter and have a yellow or orange color. Plants cut off after flowering about 15 cm above the ground again and bloom.