Marigolds
/With the arrival of November, there is something special about what these two flowers have in common. Below are both marigolds, glowing with fiery shades of yellow and orange. Although they share the same name, they are not of the same species.
The marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is a perennial herb in the buttercup family, also known as kingcup or cowslip. A true harbinger of spring, it thrives in wetlands such as marshes, fens, ditches, and swamps. You can find this beauty around the Indiana Dunes National Park, especially along trails like Cowles Bog and Heron Rookery.
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Flor de Cempasuchil (Tagetes erecta)
The cempasuchil (Tagetes erecta) flower is native to Mexico, and its name comes from the Nahuatl word “cempohualxochitl,” meaning “flower of many petals.” This flower symbolizes both life and death, and it is a key decoration for Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. During this Mexican holiday, families welcome back the souls of their loved ones for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. For this celebration, loved ones put ofrendas together and display these orange flowers along with photos of the dead, their favorite food, and sugar skulls. Although this holiday includes themes of death, it is not somber but rather festive to celebrate their lives. You may recognize this celebration from the Disney original Coco (2017, which has popularized this holiday in the United States.
As a Mexican-American, I often reflect on how the month of November is commonly associated with gratitude because of Thanksgiving. However, I also wish to honor another celebration that concludes just as the month begins, one that connects deeply to my culture and identity. Ever since I was a kid, my family has been celebrating the Day of the Dead. Since joining the Dunes Learning Center, I’ve discovered many natural beauties here that feel familiar to me. Isn’t it wonderful that two places – Mexico and Indiana – that are so distinct from one another can share marigolds as a common beauty to behold?
Both flowers remind me that nature and culture are intertwined. I encourage you to appreciate the beauty of marigolds. Even though not all varieties are native plants, marsh marigolds are native to this area and are so much more beneficial for our ecosystems. Specifically, pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and bats feed on the nectar, brush against pollen, and bring it with them to the next flower they visit. Non-native plants, like the cempasuchil, would be inedible to pollinators and may not meet pollination needs. Worldwide pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss and pesticides. Therefore, we need to protect our ecosystems by planting native plants and sharing knowledge with others.
As November unfolds, I hope you feel thankful for our national park, our rangers, your family, and your friends - and that you also take a moment to remember those who have passed on. There is so much beauty in pausing to appreciate both the environment and our loved ones. You may find that the flowers we pass by every day hold deeper meanings than we ever imagined.
Resources:
Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) - Origins, Celebrations, Parade | HISTORY
I Didn't Know That!: Planting for Pollinators (U.S. National Park Service)
Ixchel Zapata,
Second Year Environmental Education Fellow
