Carthamus L. >

Outer involucral bracts larger than the inner and resembling cauline leaves Carthamus
consider the other alternative
Longest involucral bracts c. 15 mm long, with spines c. 2 mm long. Leaves oblong or ovate to lanceolate, with minute spines; the upper ones stem-clasping. Involucre 2–4 cm diam. Corollas orange-yellow. Cypselas 6 mm long. Weed near habitation, Cultivated for seed-oil. Introd. from Europe and Asia. Fl. summer–autumn. Safflower Carthamus tinctorius