Carthamus tinctorius aka Safflower

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant in the family Asteraceae. It grows up to 150 cm tall and has globular flower heads in yellow, orange, or red colors. The plant is commercially cultivated for its vegetable oil extracted from the seeds, which is used in various products including food. Additionally, safflower was historically used as a substitute for saffron by the early Spanish colonies along the Rio Grande. Safflower is well-adapted to arid environments with seasonal rain, thanks to its deep taproot. It is an erect, branching annual with spiny leaves and vibrant orange or yellow thistle-like flower-heads, adorned with prominent green bracts. Notably, safflower is commonly grown in arid regions, often intercropped with winter wheat. However, it should be noted that safflower is considered invasive in Illinois.