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Carthamus tinctorius
Native to the Mediterranean, safflower is a tall, gangly plant with highly-colored yellow-red flowers that make an inexpensive substitute for saffron. These are also the best kind for producing the deep orange coloring agent used in oil infusions, salves, and cosmetics. Dry the petals and add them to the oil infusion - it's easy. Plant prefers sun to part shade and poor, dryish soils. Large seeds are best direct-seeded after last frost. Harvest flowers once they open, or let the plant mature to produce the oil-rich seed.
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