"Tagetes minuta, also known as Southern Cone Marigold, Stinking Roger or black mint, is a tall upright marigold plant from the genus Tagetes, with small flowers, native to the southern half of South America. Since Spanish colonization, it has been introduced around the world including Europe, Asia, and Africa.

It is used as a culinary herb in Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Chile and Bolivia, where it is called by the Quechua term Huacatay. It is commonly sold in Latin grocery stores in a bottled, paste format as black mint paste.

This species of marigold may grow to become from 0.6–1.3 meters tall.

The leaves when dried may be used as a seasoning.

Huacatay paste is used to make the popular Peruvian potato dish called ocopa''.

For some time people have used it as a flavorful tisane for medical benefits such as a remedy for the colds, respiratory inflammations, or stomach problems.

It can be used to produce an organic dye (known as Tamidye or TAMI dye) which was developed at Moi University in Kenya under the direction of R. K. Mibey.

The sap of the plant may cause irritation to the skin and may also cause photodermatitis."

Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T...

Reply to this comment