Wild safflower
Carthamus oxycantha
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A spiny annual herb. It grows 1.5 m tall. The leaves are covered with spines. The flowers are yellow in heads 3-5 cm across.
There are 14 Carthamus species. They are thistle like plants. They are mostly Mediterranean.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Armenia, Caucasus, Central Asia, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan
How it is used for food
The seeds are cooked and eaten. They are also use for tea drinks.
The roasted seeds are used as a staple food.
Edible parts
Seeds, oil
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Jero, Kaadu kusabi gida, Kantiari, Mulachu, Mullu shaavanthi, Poli, Poliyan
Synonyms
Carthamus flavescens Willd.; Carthamus oxyacantha subsp. noeana Sostak.;