There are 53 Tagetes in this member of the Compositae (Aster) family, commonly called MARIGOLD. Of these, Tagetes erecta, lemmonii, patula, and tenuifolia are cultivated. Only Tagetes lemmonii is a perennial; the others are annuals.

In Zone 9 Tagetes lemmonii will flower nearly year round and can grow to 6½' tall by 5' wide. Birds come to the plant for seed while butterflies come to the plant for flower nectar. It prefers regular to moderate watering. The yellow flowers come out in spring and winter - nearly year-round. It can be grown in sun, in container, in Zone 9 and is native to south east Arizona. The green leaf is opposite, linear, compound with a toothed margin and pointed leaf tip. Give it moderate or regular watering. both the flower and foliage are aromatic.

In addition to the long list of butterflies that are attracted to flowers in the Compositae family, Tagetes specifically attracts five butterflies:
Amblyscirtes nysa, Nysa Roadside-Skipper
Atalopedes campestris, Sachem
Nathalis iole, Dainty Sulphur
Staphylus hayhurstii, Hayhurst's Scallopwing
Vanessa virginiensis, American Lady