Orange Safflower

Herbaceous, thistle-like

Showy golden globe.

Art Prescription:  Dyer’s Saffron, also known as, Dyer’s Thistle, Safflower, and American Saffron is a herbaceous plant with composite flowers. My hubby picked up a bunch at our local grocery store last weekend.  My guess thistle family. Pretty purple thistles grow along roadsides here in North Carolina.  I was surprised to find that its seeds are extracted for oil used in paints, varnishes, cooking, illumination, and in the manufacture of soap. A scarlet red dye, insoluble in water, can be obtained from the dried florets and used for dying clothes, cakes, biscuits, and rouge. Hence, Dyer’s Saffron!! One of the most pleasurable aspects of creativity is the act of observation and curiosity about your subjects!