Japanese name: ベニバナ（紅花） Scientific name:Carthamus tinctorius
[Overview]
An annual about 1 m tall, cultivated since very ancient times.
It has a thick taproot.
The stem is erect and branches in the upper part.
The leaves are simple and alternate, elliptic, dark green and hard, with sharp spiny teeth on the margins.
The flower heads are borne at the branch tips, 2.5–4 cm across, consisting entirely of tubular flowers, yellow at first and later turning red.
The outer involucral bracts are leaf-like.
The fruit is an achene 0.6 cm long with a very short pappus.
[History]
It has been cultivated since ancient times to obtain a crimson dye, and appears in classics such as the Man'yoshu.
[Uses]
The flowers are used as a crimson dye, as a coloring agent, in cosmetics, and for medicinal purposes.
Oil can be extracted from the achenes and is used as edible oil.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers a rather dry climate and sandy soil that is sunny and well drained.
It dislikes acidic soil and excessive moisture.
Rainfall is sufficient for watering.
Fertilizing is not particularly necessary if a base fertilizer is applied.
Because the plant grows tall, it is better to set up stakes so that it does not fall over.
Pests and diseases include anthracnose and aphids.
