# Carthamus arborescens

Carthamus arborescens, also known as the safflower, is a bright and cheerful flower that blooms in sunny colors like yellow and orange. It loves warm weather and can be found in gardens and fields.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and fields
- **Also known as:** Safflower

![Carthamus arborescens](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/C._arborescens-2.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Philmarin, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:C._arborescens-2.JPG)

## Appearance

The Carthamus arborescens is a woody, branching shrub reaching up to two meters tall, unusual for a thistle. It has stiff, grey-green leaves with sharp spines and produces striking bright yellow to orange thistle-like flowers.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Phonus

## Interesting facts

- Even with sharp spines, its beautiful flowers are loved by many insects.
- It's rare to find a thistle that grows into a strong, woody shrub!
- Its tough roots help it survive scorching summer droughts for years!
- Its vibrant, sunny flowers help brighten dry Mediterranean landscapes.

## Special abilities

- **Drought Survivor:** Carthamus arborescens has a deep taproot that helps it find water in dry, rocky soils.
- **Spiny Defender:** Carthamus arborescens has sharp spines on its leaves and flowers to protect it from hungry animals.
- **Woody Resilience:** Carthamus arborescens has a woody stem that allows it to live for many years, unlike most thistles.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 50-200 cm
- **Spread:** 50-150 cm
- **Flower Size:** 3-5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Visits flowers for nectar.
- **Eats:** Black Bean Aphid (*Aphis fabae*) — Feeds on plant's sap.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Dye](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/dye): This human use trait indicates species from which natural dyes can be extracted and used to color textiles, food, or other materials.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Oil Crop](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/oil-crop): This human use trait identifies species cultivated as oil crops, harvested for their seeds or fruits from which vegetable oils are extracted for food, fuel, or industrial uses.
- [Agricultural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/agricultural): This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before picking flowers to keep nature safe.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Carthamus arborescens?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Carthamus arborescens?

50-200 cm

### How wide does Carthamus arborescens spread?

50-150 cm

### How big are the flowers on Carthamus arborescens?

3-5 cm

### When does Carthamus arborescens bloom?

Late spring to early summer

### Is Carthamus arborescens edible?

Yes

### Is Carthamus arborescens toxic?

None

### What is Carthamus arborescens's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Carthamus arborescens: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carthamus-arborescens)