Quick facts
| Arabic name | القرطم (العصفر) |
|---|---|
| English name | Safflower (Usfur) |
| Scientific name | Carthamus tinctorius |
| Family | Daisy family (Asteraceae) |
| Plant type | Annual oil crop |
| Height | 60 to 120 cm |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
November to December
Harvest time
April to May
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A plant with spiny leaves and yellow-orange thistle-like flowers.
Where it grows
Grown in small areas in Al-Qassim, Hail, Riyadh and Al-Jouf.
Soil
Handles poor soil and some salt.
Water and irrigation
Needs little water thanks to its deep roots.
Climate and light
Loves sun and dry weather.
Propagation
From seeds sown directly.
Benefits and uses
- Seeds give healthy oil
- Flowers make natural dye
- Handles drought
Drawbacks
- Spiny leaves
- Does not like high humidity
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Carthamus tinctorius
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Carthamus tinctorius
- Wikipedia: Safflower
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)