| Botanical Name | Carthamus tinctorius |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Carthamus |
| Specie | tinctorius |
| Common Name | Safflower, False Saffron, American Saffron, Dyer's Saffron,bastard saffron,cosumbha |
| Life Cycle | Annuals |
| Fragrant or Not | no |
| Category(Bush/Vine/Tree) | Annual small shrub |
| Height | 1 to 3 feet. |
| Spacing | 12-15 in. |
| Flowering Months | spring |
| Flower Color | yellow |
| Growing Areas | All hot areas of pakistan |
| Frost Tender | yes hardy |
| Exposure | Sun to Partial Shade |
| Soil pH | tolerant |
| Propagation | from seed |
| Uses | medicinal plant |
| Other Details | Safflower is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant. It is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seeds. it is a substitute of saffron and is sold as saffron in Pakistani market.although it is not saffron but its dried flowers resemble saffron so it is falsely sold as saffron.it has good medicinal properties.Safflower seeds are very nutritious to wild birds, rodents and other small animals. They also make excellent treats for small parrots. |
