Calendula arvensis L., Sp. Pl. ed. 2, 1303. 1763; Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 3: 358. 1881.

Herbs, annual, erect, branched, 20 - 40 cm high, pubescent. Leaves radical and cauline; radical leaves oblong, spathulate, entire, 3-8 x 0.4 - 1.4 cm, hairy; upper cauline leaves more or less lanceolate or oblanceolate, amplexicaul at base. Heads terminal, peduncled, 4 - 6 cm across, radiate. Involucral bracts in 2 series, hairy. Ray florets female, fertile; ligulate flowers 3-lobed, exceeding the involucral bracts. Disc flowers concolorous or violet purple. Achenes 1.2 - 2 cm long, all incurved; those of ray florets dorsally echinate, beaked; inner muricate.

Fl. & Fr. March - April.

Distrib. India: Jammu & Kashmir.

Europe, W. Asia and China.