Carthamus Flowers
Name : Carthamus Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Carthamus, (Carthamus tinctorius)
Carthamus Description
The genus Carthamus, also known as the Distaff Thistles, includes 14 species of Mediterranean plants in the Daisy Family (Asteraceae). The origins of Carthamus are somewhat unclear; some suggest that it originates from the basin of the Euphrates River. Today Carthamus is found growing wild in Iran, northwest India, and North Africa. It is also found in the Far East and North America.
The most popular species in this genus is probably the Safflower. Other common names include False Saffron, dyer's saffron, Mexican saffron, zaffer and Saffron thistle.
Safflower or Carthamus tinctorius, is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant. Carthamus usually has many long sharp spines on the leaves and stiff, upright stems. Safflowers grow to about 30 to 150 cm in height and have globular flower heads (capitula) and thistle like flowers in shades of brilliant yellow, orange and red.
The safflowers bloom in July and each branch usually has from one to five flower heads. The Safflower possesses a strong taproot which enables it to thrive even in dry climates, but it doesn’t tolerate frost too well.
Carthamus is a hardy perennial with tubular flowers and is often used for culinary purposes. Carthamus propagate from seeds planted in early spring, preferably in the sunny part of the garden. Carthamus grows well in poor, dry soil and full sun. Water the Carthamus rarely, about once every 2-3 weeks, keeping the soil dry for a few days before watering again. Carthamus should be grown in a soft and light, very well drained soil.
Carthamus flowers are also used as a cut flower. Carthamus can add novelty, texture and splashes of bright beautiful colour to any flower arrangement. The Safflower or Carthamus has a vase life of about 10-15 days and does very well as a fresh cut flower. Safflowers are also suitable for dry arrangements and last even longer than 10-15 days when dried. They work well both for fresh flower arrangements as well as for dry arrangements although drying the safflower flowers requires care. Carthamus flowers must be kept away from sunlight during the drying process or they lose their distinctive reddish-yellow colour.
Carthamus Meaning
The lovely Carthamus or Safflower is the birth flower of the month of August, and is associated with zodiac sign Leo.
Carthamus Mythology
Safflower is an ancient plant and can be traced back to the Egyptians from the Twelfth dynasty who used it as a textile dye. Carthamus garlands were also found in the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun. John Chadwick found that the Greek name for safflower occurs many times in Linear B tablets as well.
The seeds of Carthamus produce an edible oil which is considered a cheap alternative of sunflower oil. Traditionally, Carthamus was grown for its seeds. The plant found many uses in the old times like colouring and flavouring foods, in medicines, and making red (carthamin) and yellow dyes. However now it’s used mainly to extract vegetable oil from its seeds.
The Safflower flower has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is believed to be a blood regulator which invigorates and harmonizes the blood and dissolves blood clots.
