Seeds of Calendula officinalis - pot marigold - which is a genus of about 12-20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the area from Macaronesia east through the Mediterranean region to Iran. The leaves can be eaten, but this is not practiced, since they are extremely bitter. The flower petals are truly "the gold", both culinary and medicinally. Historically, calendula was used as a restorative for the eyes. The dried petals have been used as a poor man's substitute for saffron for both color and taste. It was brought to America and used by the colonists to color butter and cheese.