Carthamus tinctorius L.
Safflower
Safflower is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual plant known for its globular flower heads that can be yellow, orange, or red. It is native to arid environments with seasonal rain and has a deep taproot that allows it to thrive in such conditions. The plant is commercially cultivated for vegetable oil extracted from its seeds.
Details
Asterales
Asteraceae
Carthamus
Safflower seed oil is rich in oleic acid and linoleic acid, which are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids respectively. High-oleic safflower oil is lower in saturated fats compared to olive oil and is used for various culinary purposes and in cosmetics.
Traditionally, safflower seeds have been used for coloring and flavoring foods, in medicines, and for making red (carthamin) and yellow dyes. Safflower oil is used in cooking, cosmetics, and as a medium for oil colors, particularly with white paints. The flowers are occasionally used in cooking as a substitute for saffron and can be used to make herbal tea.
The flowering time of safflower typically occurs in the spring and early summer, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Safflower seeds should be sown in spring as early as the soil temperature reaches 4.5°C (40.1°F).
30 to 150 cm (12 to 59 inches)
Yellow, orange, or red
Safflower is well-suited to arid and semi-arid regions with seasonal rain. It grows best in well-drained, neutral, fertile soils and can tolerate a range of soil pH (5–8) and salinity. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for cultivation in various climates.
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Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.
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