Bitterroot Restoration

Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Kajirah, Kushum(Beng.); Sanflower, Wild Saffron(Eng.).
Life cycle: Anual
Native Range: It originated in southern Asia and is known to have been cultivated in China, India, Persia and Egypt almost from prehistoric times. During Middle Ages it was cultivated in Italy, France, and Spain, and soon after discovery of America, the Spanish took it to Mexico and then to Venezuela and Colombia.

Carthamus tinctorius is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual, usually with many long sharp spines on the leaves. Plants are 30 to 150 cm tall with globular flower heads (capitula) and commonly, brilliant yellow, orange or red flowers which bloom in July.

Seeds used for tumors, especially inflammatory tumors of the liver. Flowers considered diaphoretic, emmenagogue, laxative, sedative, stimulant, in large doses laxative; used as a substitute or adulterant for saffron in treating measles, scarlatina, and other exanthematous diseases. Charred safflower oil used for rheumatism and sores; seeds, diuretic and tonic.