This plant is in the database as a Tagetes erecta, but in my opinion it's a Tagetes patula. Well, at least here in Europe.

T. patula is a synonym for T. erecta.

I do not agree it's a synonym. All European websites (unfortunately none of them in English) tell me that there is a difference. The flowers of the T. erecta (African marigold) are bigger and higher than the flowers of the T. patula (French marigold)

And here is a link to a scientific article about the T. patula and T. erecta. They speak also of different species. . http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/...

That's fine to disagree. I used this taxon for reference.

http://www.catalogueoflife.org...

The article in your link is dated 1994. Here is the much more recent information from the Catalogue of Life:

http://www.catalogueoflife.org...

Oh, Tee. We cross-posted, providing exactly the same link.

It stays confusing to me. I'm just an amataeur, but:
Zuzu you send me 2 links (Grin and The Plant List). I just checked both on the Tagetes.
Both accept Tagetes erecta and Tagetes Patula as a different specie
http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bi...
http://www.theplantlist.org/tp...

Yes, those two sites are not as current as ITIS (Catalogue of Life), but they are accurate sources for the correct spelling of the Symphyandra species, which is what you wanted, I believe. I didn't give you an ITIS link for Symphyandra because it's no longer an accepted genus and is no longer listed on the ITIS site.

I'm not convinced yet, so I will think about it and do some more research. It's not that I do not believe you, but there are so many others who say the T. patula and T. erecta are really different species.

Wish you Zuzu and Tee all the best for the year 2013 and hope we can discuss a lot of plants next year.

Jonna

May you have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year as well, Jonna. The plant may have been reclassified again by then. It appears to be "provisionally accepted" in the Catalog of Life. So who knows. Things change all the time.

I'm COMPLETELY with Jonna on this one. The tagetes database is still very confusing to me.

Tagetes ' Jolly Jester' is Tagetes patula in my book. I've had issue with the tagetes database in the past and I was just looking at it today --- it's still not making sense to me.

In viewing the database, sometimes T. patula is called African marigold and other times T. erecta. How can this be?

For me,
T. patula is French marigold.
T. erecta is African marigold. Although T. erecta is called African marigold, its actually native to Mexico where it is called Aztec marigold, and subsequently called Mexican marigold.

I realize there has been updates since this thread was started. But, I found it today because I'm just still so confused by the database.

For example, this African marigold 'French Vanilla' is listed under T. patula; shouldn't it be under T. erecta?
Aztec Marigold (Tagetes erecta 'French Vanilla')

SongofJoy said:T. patula is a synonym for T. erecta.

Catalogue of Life is showing both T. erecta and T. patula as separate species. So that means that T. patula is not a synonym for T. erecta. Or am I missing something?

Everything I find on T. 'French Vanilla' shows it as T. erecta.
http://www.learn2grow.com/plan...

We made some changes almost two years ago when the Catalogue of Life listed T. patula as a synonym for T. erecta. Since then, that information has been nullified, and the COL lists the two as separate and distinct species. Some of the problems you're finding in the names of plants probably occurred when we changed "patula" to "erecta" and vice versa in an effort to keep up with the changes in taxonomic data. If you're certain that a name is incorrect, you can submit a proposal to edit the plant name.

Great information Zuzu, thank you for the help.
Now the Tagetes members can help to update the changes.

That is interesting since I all African marigolds were called Tagetes patula just last month? Not trying to be a problem but just a little frustrated by the tagetes database. I will stay away from there.

Zuzu and others have been working really hard at keeping the database up to available current name changes. It is really helpful for others to propose changes when the botanical name changes.
Sure wish the scientists would leave them along, for awhile at least.

You're right about that Lynn. The ATP database must be the best on the internet!! Zuzu and the others are definitely doing an amazing job!! Hanging my head in shame.

This has just been a thorn in my side. I'll make an effort to add my imput regarding the tagetes and I really hope the scientists leave it be!!

Awesome Christine.

I really understand your frustration. I've been through the very same thing with some of the hardy type succulent plants.