Carthamus tinctorius Seeds | Safflower
LATIN NAME: Carthamus tinctorius
COMMON NAME: Safflower
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is an annual in the daisy family. Safflower is an upright, branching, thistle-like annual of warm dry fields, one of oldest of crop plants. Sturdy, upright plant carries glossy, dark-green leaves with small, prickly teeth along edges, and round heads of bright yellow to orange-red florets open through the summer. Plant has two long records of use at once, for petals that give fine, lasting red and yellow dyes, and for oil of seeds, a fine, light oil of warm kitchens. Few species give back so generously for so little effort.
Science & Biotechnology
Safflower is two crops in one: a saffron-substitute dye flower of antiquity and a modern oilseed. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia controls the flower (hong hua) through hydroxysafflor yellow A, a chalcone glycoside that is the major water-soluble pigment and the focus of research on microcirculation and anti-thrombotic effects; purified HSYA preparations are used clinically in China for cardiovascular indications. The same flower’s red carthamin dyed the robes of Buddhist monks. The seed oil, among the richest in linoleic acid, is the garden’s second harvest.
Carthamus tinctorius sits in the daisy family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Safflower earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Safflower pays its way in garden and wider world. Bright florets have a very long record of use in fine, lasting red and yellow dyes of old textiles, and they still find their place in colouring of foods and the cosmetics. Oil of seeds is a fine, light oil of warm kitchens, and upright, thistle-like plant is an easy, cheerful presence of sunny border and wildflower patch. Once settled, it thrives on neglect more than on fussing.
Safflower has double value: its flowers, Hong Hua, are a major Chinese blood-moving herb with flavonoid pigments studied for circulation effects, while its seed oil is prized for high linoleic or oleic content depending on the variety.
Growing from Seed
Safflower is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Level a tray of loose seed compost, sow evenly, cover to about the seed’s own depth, and keep it moist in full light. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Few garden plants carry such a documented history of use as this one does. Within its genus it stands out for garden reliability. Even moisture while the seed is chitting is the main thing; afterwards it largely looks after itself.
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