Calendula arvensis (Vaill.) L. Florets: Every Place and Season Resource? A Preliminary UHPLC-HRMS-Driven Assessment

Calendula arvensis is receiving renewed interest in Southern Italy, since its wide distribution favors its timely harvesting and the formulation of local and sustainable preparations. Herein, to give greater support to local communities, the botanical and phytochemical approach was further combined with a preliminary evaluation of the production of specialized compounds, mainly antioxidants, in different locations in the Cilento coastal area and at two different seasons. Results highlight that altitude, distance from the sea, and sand/silt ratio impact the production of specialized metabolites of spring samples collected in different areas. Thus, when formulative extracts are obtained, a different biological response should be considered. Similarly, seasonal harvesting must take into account a decrease in some compounds or transformations strategically implemented by the plant for survival and development in the winter period.