Carthamus tinctorius
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Carthamus tinctorius

safflower
false saffron
bastard saffron
American saffron
dyer's thistle
dyer's saffron
saffron thistle
hong hua

  family asteraceae 
  genus carthamus 

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Identification
Genus  Carthamus Species  tinctorius Variety  Cultivar  Common names  safflower   false saffron   bastard saffron   American saffron   dyer's thistle   dyer's saffron   saffron thistle   hong hua Family  ASTERACEAE Specimen number  S11341 Data source  ColorNat p24;DyePl p19;HtZn p91;MedPl p181
 
Life cycle
Life form  Terrestrial Life cycle  Annual Life span  1 year Annual cycle  Not applicable Stature  Flower Growth form  Not applicable Growth habit  Various Overall height  1' - 3' Overall spread   
 
Climate
Sunshine  Full sun Water  Dry, well drained Optimal soil texture  Various Acceptable soil pH  Neutral USDA hardiness  Not classified AHS heat zones  Heat zones 12-03 Sunset climate zones  Not classified
 
Garden
Suitable for gardens  yes Nursery  Unknown Compost  no Size at acquisition  Unknown Garden location  Unknown Garden notes  A good use for this plant is as cut flowers. The flowers of Carthamus tinctorius have been used in traditional fabric dyeing. A range of possible colors can be produced by Safflower (also known as dyer's saffron, false saffron, bastard saffron, American saffron, dyer's thistle and saffron thistle) including bright yellow, rusty red, dusty rose, orange and yellow. Carthamus tinctorius is known as hong hua in Chinese. It is used in dyeing silk. When dyeing with this plant, alum is used as a mordant to fix the color to the fabric. This plant needs summer days with high heat. This species does best in full sun. It prefers dry, well drained soils.
 
Special qualities
Tolerates drought  no Tolerates high humidity  no Tolerates seaside conditions  no Insect resistant  no Disease resistant  no Deer resistant  no Best uses  Cut flowers Symbiosis  Attracts butterflies  no Attracts hummingbirds  no Autumn foliage  no Colorful berries  no Desirable qualities    Other interest    Other interest color  Other interest period   
 
Adverse factors
Common pests  Poisonous parts  Poisonous indications  Internal poison  no Dermatologic poison  no Livestock poison  no Mechanical injury  no Hay fever pollen    Hay fever season    Adverse qualities   
 
Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties  emmenagogue   purgative   lowers cholesterol   immunostimulant   vulnerary Medicinal parts  Flowers   Seeds   Seed oil Has medicinal uses  yes Do not self-administer  no Do no use if pregnant  yes Legally restricted  no Toxicity precautions  Medicinal notes  The petals of this plant and the seeds are both edible. Among its many possible uses in the kitchen, Carthamus tinctorius is often used as a flavoring and as oil. Safflower (sometimes called dyer's saffron, false saffron, bastard saffron, American saffron, dyer's thistle and saffron thistle) has numerous traditional medicinal uses. Some of its many uses are: as an emmenagogue, as a purgative, as a cholesterol reducer and as an immunostimulant. More uses are listed in the medicinal properties section. This plant is not safe for use during pregnancy. The flowers and the seeds and even the seed oil are used to prepare herbal remedies.
 
Traditional uses
Parts used  Traditional uses  Contemporary uses  Fragrance  Fragrance parts  Fragrance intensity    Fragrance category    Dye parts  Flowers Dye color  bright yellow,rusty red,dusty rose,orange,yellow
 
Cultivation
Propagule  Various Pollination method    Planting style    Crop spacing    Row spacing    Cold frame  Planting period    Harvesting period    Frost tolerance    Heat requirement    Fertilizer  Typical Time to harvest 
 
Nutrition
Is edible  yes Culinary uses  Flavoring   Oil Nutritional value  Edible parts  Petals   Seeds Description of edible parts flower petals used in cooking as a substitute for saffron; seeds are crushed for their oil Flavor / texture 
 
Horticulture
Horticulture notes 
 
Herbarium
Tag needs printing  no Collection notes  Carthamus tinctorius has an annual life cycle. Leaves: Safflower (locally known in some parts as dyer's saffron, false saffron, bastard saffron, American saffron, dyer's thistle and saffron thistle) has spiny leaves. Flowers: This plant has thistle-like flowers. The blossoms are usually a yellow color, with an accent in gold.

Page 918 of 4998

Last reviewed November 01, 2004   

 

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