safflower

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

safflower
    n 1: thistlelike Eurasian plant widely grown for its red or
         orange flower heads and seeds that yield a valuable oil
         [syn: {safflower}, {false saffron}, {Carthamus tinctorius}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Safflower \Saf"flow`er\, n. [F. safleur, saflor, for safran,
   influenced by fleur flower. See {Saffron}, and {Flower}.]
   1. (Bot.) An annual composite plant ({Carthamus tinctorius}),
      the flowers of which are used as a dyestuff and in making
      rouge; bastard, or false, saffron.
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   2. The dried flowers of the {Carthamus tinctorius}.
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   3. A dyestuff from these flowers. See {Safranin}
      (b) .
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   {Oil of safflower}, a purgative oil expressed from the seeds
      of the safflower.
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