Pronunciation: [kˈɑːθaməs] (IPA) 
Carthamus is a genus of flowering plants, commonly referred to as safflower. The word is spelled /ˈkɑːθəməs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound is a "k" sound followed by the vowel "a" pronounced as "ah." The "th" sound is pronounced as a "θ" sound, which is similar to a "th" sound in English but made with the tongue between the teeth. The word ends with the "əs" sound pronounced as "uhss."
Carthamus is a noun that refers to a genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family, commonly known as safflower. It is native to regions of the Middle East and Africa, but it has been widely cultivated in various parts of the world for its valuable uses. The genus Carthamus encompasses several species, with Carthamus tinctorius being the most well-known and extensively cultivated.
The safflower plants are herbaceous, annual crops that typically grow to a height of 30-150 centimeters. They produce vibrant yellow or red flowers, which give way to thorny seed-containing heads. The seeds of Carthamus species have long been recognized for their commercial significance. They contain oil-rich kernels that are widely used in numerous applications.
Safflower oil, derived from the seeds of Carthamus tinctorius, is a highly versatile oil used primarily in cooking, as a dietary supplement, and in cosmetic and industrial products. It has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it suitable for various culinary purposes. Additionally, safflower oil is known to be rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which contributes to its nutritional value.
In addition to its oil, safflower is also cultivated for the extraction of natural dyes from its flowers. The intense colors obtained from safflower were historically used for dyeing textiles, and it has some medicinal properties attributed to its components.
Overall, Carthamus plants play a vital role in various industries and have been cherished for centuries due to their versatile uses in culinary, medicinal, and commercial applications.
Safflower, parrot-seed, false or bastard saffron, the dried florets of Carthamus tinctorius; sometimes used in domestic practice as a hot tea externally to "bring out the eruption" in exanthematous diseases.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The wild or bastard saffron; safflower.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "carthamus" derives from the Latin term "carthamus", which, in turn, is believed to have originated from the Greek word "kárthamos". The Greek term referred to the safflower plant (Carthamus tinctorius), which was widely cultivated in ancient times for its vibrant red or orange flowers that were used for various purposes, including dyeing fabrics and medicinal purposes. The exact etymology beyond the Greek "kárthamos" is uncertain, though some suggest it may have been borrowed from an ancient language of North Africa, possibly Phoenician, due to the historical presence of the safflower crop in the region.
