Carthamnus tinctorius Safflower (Compositae)

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Carthamnus tinctorius
Safflower
(1 Page of 5)

The Carthamnus tinctorius plant species is found in N. Africa - Egypt. A rare casual in Britain[17]. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Safflower.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Carthamnus tinctorius
Common Name:  Safflower
Family:  Compositae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:  0.35

Habitat:  Poor dry soils in full sun.

Cultivation Notes: Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1, 169]. Requires a well-drained soil and a position in full sun[138, 169, 238]. The plant tolerates a pH in the range 5.5 to 8.3. Safflower has been grown for thousands of years for the dye that can be obtained from the flowers[238]. This is not much used nowadays, having been replaced by chemical dyes, but the plant is still widely cultivated commercially for its seed in warm temperate and tropical areas of the world. There are many named varieties[174, 200]. It is unlikely to be a worthwhile crop in Britain since it only ripens its seed here in long hot summers. There is more chance of success in the drier eastern part of the country with its usually warmer summers, the cooler moister conditions in the west tend to act against the production of viable seed[K].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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