Carthamus tinctorius aka Safflower

Carthamus tinctorius, or safflower, belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its native range runs from central and eastern Türkiye to Iran. Useful Tropical Plants says its wild origins remain uncertain. It reports no known truly wild populations today. People have grown this annual for thousands of years. Its flowers supply dye, while its seeds yield edible oil. Growers still raise it in warm temperate and tropical regions.

Safflower forms an upright plant with many branches. Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall. The RHS description gives a height near 2 feet [0.6 metre]. Useful Tropical Plants reports an upper height of 5.9 feet [1.8 metres]. Plants spread about 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metre] wide. A deep taproot anchors the plant beneath its strong stem. Its leaves bear spines, giving it a thistle-like look. Each branch ends in a flower head. The heads have orange or yellow flowers and large green bracts. Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers. The plant is also self-fertile.

Give safflower full sun and soil that drains well. The RHS lists sandy and loamy soils as suitable. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Moisture can range from dry to moist. Sources also place it in poor, dry ground. The RHS assigns it the UK hardiness rating H5. Yet Useful Tropical Plants warns that larger plants suffer frost damage. Frost can harm buds and flowers, reducing seed yield. Sow seeds with mild warmth from early through late spring. The RHS advises cutting plants back once flowering ends.

Safflower suits informal gardens, flower beds, and borders. Gardeners can also grow it for cut flowers. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy. Its seed oil serves in cooking, dressings, and margarine. People roast or fry the seeds for food. Young leaves and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked. Dried flowers provide food colour and a cheaper saffron substitute.

The oil also has uses in paint, varnish, and other materials. The flowers have a history of medicinal use. This does not establish that home remedies are safe or effective. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known hazards. Plants For A Future warns against use during pregnancy. It also urges caution for people with reduced immune function.