Safflower

Carthamus tinctorius L.

Compositae or Asteraceae

The plant is an annual grown from seed, up to 3 feet high, with glabrous, ovate, spiny leaves, which are almost as broad as long. It develops a flower-head which tapers upward. The yellow to orange flowers are used to color and flavor foods. The flower-heads yield a dyestuff, somewhat used on fabrics, especially silk. The seeds yield a valuable food oil.