Lemmon's Marigold

Lemmon's marigold (Tagetes lemmonii) is also known as Copper Canyon daisy, mountain marigold, and Mexican marigold. Well-known field botanists John and Sara Lemmon discovered this species of Tagetes growing in Arizona at elevations from 5,000 to 8,000 feet while camping there on their honeymoon in 1880. This adventurous couple was enamored with the plants they came across in their travels and brought this particular species back to grow in their garden in Oakland. They eventually introduced this plant to the nursery trade.