Saffron Thistle Orange Seeds

Saffron Thistle - Orange

Also known as safflower or false saffron, this is a bitter aromatic herb, now commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from the seed. This hardy annual grows 30 to 150 cm tall with orange flower heads in July, usually with many long sharp spines on the leaves. Petals may be substituted for saffron in cooking, colouring and flavouring food. It was traditionally used as a textile dye for Buddhist robes.

Sow in spring in situ, in sunny, light, well-drained soil.