Aztec marigold

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/aztec-marigold

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Tagetes erecta
2. What is the native geographic origin?Mexico and Central America
3. Why did the Aztecs use marigolds in ceremonies?They believed the flower guided souls and kept away bad spirits, and they used it in temples and for honoring the dead.
4. How can marigolds help protect plants?The strong smell of the flower repels insects like nematodes and some flying bugs, making it a good companion plant for gardens.

Mesoamerica: A historical region and cultural area in the Americas, extending from central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.
Phytochemicals: Biologically active compounds found in plants that can have beneficial effects on human health.
Carotenoids: A class of pigments found in plants and animals, including lutein and zeaxanthin, known for their antioxidant properties.
Ethnobotany: The study of how people of a particular culture and region use indigenous plants.