Yes it sounds like a rival band to the group headed by Roy Orbison, but no… it’s simply a dainty little yellow/ gold/ orange daisy you probably better know as English Marigold.

It’s a tough little critter with a smiling, pretty face that doesn’t ask for much and once you have it, it’s there forever…sneaking through the garden beds and into your heart.

Hence – the travelling remark.

I first recall it more than 50 years ago, in my parents garden in Melbourne, and when I left home, I took a few of its seeds – they look like claws – to remind me of home.

That was the start of its journey. It’s been with me ever since. In three house moves I have just collected some claws and taken them with me.

I missed them so much after the bushfires that burned our home ten yours ago that when we got to our new property, I asked my mum to collect claws and post them to me from her house in NSW.

They arrived in an envelope, and today it’s happily seeding its way down the driveway and through the garden beds and when people admire it, I hand over some claws and it travels on.

It travelled with my parents, through several moves through Queensland and back, through their five moves from property to property. It was given to my sister in law who took fright and declared it a noxious weed when it refused to stay in the space allocated.

My daughter in law has it in her garden, so do friends and some neighbours.

I look at it and think to myself, from the small garden 50 years ago, the one little calendula plant’s golden faces have brightened the lives of so many people.

I looked them up on the internet the other day – shining away in the foggy gloom.

Mr Google was happy to offer information. It seems, that apart from decorating gardens and pathways, and doing its Leyland brothers imitation all over Oz. it can also do this –

Calendula flower is used to prevent muscle spasms, start menstrual periods, and reduce fever. It is also used for treating sore throat and mouth, menstrual cramps, cancer, and stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Calendula is applied to the skin to reduce pain and swelling (inflammation) and to treat poorly healing wounds and leg ulcers. It is also applied to the skin (used topically) for nosebleeds, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, inflammation of the rectum (proctitis), and inflammation of the lining of the eyelid (conjunctivitis).

And to think, all I have done is to plant it and admire its ability to shine on grey days and brighten my life… I DO have some to share if you like, free of charge of course. Just supply an envelope. You can either enjoy looking at the flowers… or rub it on your haemorrhoids.