[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the functions and properties of the preliminarily determined characteristics listed in DUS test guideline of Tagetes L., and explore the representativeness and comprehensiveness of this group of characteristics in DUS test. [Method] Based on the functions and properties of the characteristics, the described plant part （s）, observation stage, expression pattern and observation method of each characteristic were analyzed to illustrate the representativeness and comprehensiveness of the combination of this group of characteristics in above functions and properties. [Result] As for described plant part（s）, there are 5 characteristics describing plant as a whole, 3 characteristics describing stem, 6 characteristics describing leaf, 23 characteristics describing flower and 1 characteristic describing physiological feature. As for observation stage, there are 1 characteristic needing to be observed in the stage of seedling, 1 characteristic in the stage of beginning of flowering and other 36 characteristics in the stage of fully flowering. As for the expression pattern, there are 10 qualitative characteristics, 9 pseudo-qualitative characteristics and 19 quantitative characteristics. As for the observation method, there are 30 characteristics using VG as the observation method, and 8 characteristics using MS. [Conclusion] In view of the variation and morphological properties of marigold, this group of characteristics are representative and comprehensive, and ensure the accuracy and easiness of DUS test of Tagetes L., thereby achieving the reasonable combination of characteristics in described plant parts, observation stages, expression patterns and observation methods.
