Key Botanical

Features Of
Safflower
Discussion
Outline
Key Topics

Origin and Distribution

Production
Botanical Features
Inflorescence
Economic Importance
 SAFFLOWER
Introduction
Scientific Name : Carthamus tinctorius
Family : Compositae or Asteraceae
Carthamus is a latinized synonym of
the Arabic word 'quartum' or
'gurtum' which refers to the colour of
the dye extracted foem it.
It is use as a oil seed rich in PUFA
(Linoleic Acid,78%) and alo for its
orange dye (Charthamin).
Carthamus has 25 species of which
C.tinctorius is the cultivated one,
having chromosome number 2n=24.
 Origin : Asia
Origin and Distribution:
Traditionally grown for centuries from
Distribution China to Mediterranean region and all
along Nile river up to Ethiopia.
Now commercially cultivated in India,
U.S., Mexico, China, Ethiopia, Russia,
Pakistan and so on.
Production
India is the largest producer followed
by U.S., Mexico and China.
In India Maharastra and Karnataka
account for 72% and 24% of
safflower production.
In India safflower production is
mostly confined to rainfed conditions.
Botanical Botanical Name : Carthamus tinctorius L.
Family : Asteracea

Features Habit : Bushy, herbaceous annual

possessing several branches
Habitat : Tropical and Subtropical
Stem : Erect, Woody, globrous and
grooved
Leaves : Alternate, rigid, entire and
unarmed or spinulose serrate
Root : Tap root System
Inflorescence
Each branch produces a globular
flower capitulum, which is enclosed
by tightly attached bract.
Calyx absent, Corolla long tubular,
Stamens-5, Epipetalous,
syngenerious, ovary inferior,
bicarpellary, single celled, single ovule
basal or ascending in placentation,
sometimes a few of the marginal
florets are sterile
Continue., Flowering period lasts for a month as
the capitula on primary branches flower
first.
Flowering in capitulum begins in the
outermost whorl of florets and
proceeds centripetally over 3 to 5
days
Flowers are grouped into 4 based on
colour,
Yellow in bloom, turning to red on drying
Yellow in bloom, remains yellow on drying
Orange in bloom, turning to dark red on drying
White in bloom, remainswhite on drying
Economic Seed is used in oil extraction.
Importance Flowers for colouring and flavouring
foods, in medicines and making red
(Carthamin) and yellow dyes, especially
before cheaper analine dyes became
available.
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