Safflower

Safflowers were a favorite flower of Pharaohs and Queens alike.

The Safflower, also known as Carthamus, is part of the sunflower family and boasts the same petal structure. The flower is also closely related to chrysanthemums, zinnias, and artichokes. You can spot a Safflower thanks to the yellow and orange blossoms which grow from a small thistle-like green globe center.

The Safflower is prized not just for its beauty, but also for its usefulness. The name Carthamus comes from the Arabic word “kurthum” or the Hebrew word “kartami,” both meaning “to dye". It was commonly used to create a yellow-orange dye starting as early as 1300 BC. Dyes and garlands made from safflowers were found in the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun. Cleopatra used Safflower to create rouge and dye silk. The flower has also been used medicinally and the plant is used to create Safflower oil.