Safflower (Poor man's Saffron)

Safflower (Poor man's Saffron)

Carthamus tinctorius

Also known as poor man's Saffron, safflower has been used as a natural food colorant in drinks and food, as a fabric dye, as a cooking oil and as a decorative plant for thousands of years. Native to Asia and Northern Africa, it is now grown quite extensively around the world. Safflower is also said to hold many medicinal benefits in the oil and flowers. The seed is quite high in protein and can be added to poultry feed to increase the protein ratio of the feed.