Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
creticus
ID:
107460

Status:
valid

Authors:
L.

Source:
gcc

Year:
1763

Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. ed. 2 2: 1163 (1763)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000106789

Common Names

  • Cretan Saffron
  • Cretan Thistle
  • Cretan Cotton Thistle

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Synonyms

  • Kentrophyllum baeticum Boiss. & Reut. [unknown]
  • Centaurea cretica Spreng. [unknown]
  • Carthamus lanatus creticus (L.) Halácsy [unknown]
  • Carthamus lanatus creticus (L.) Holmboe [unknown]

Description

Carthamus creticus (also called Cretan Safflower, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe. It has a woody stem, and its leaves are lanceolate and serrate. It grows in grasslands and open areas, and it is found in Greece, Italy, and Turkey.

Uses & Benefits

Carthamus creticus is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a cut flower. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, headaches, and digestive issues.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Carthamus creticus is yellow, with a diameter of 2-3 cm. The seed is a small, dark brown achene, with a tuft of white hairs. The seedlings are small and have a rosette of leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Carthamus creticus is an evergreen perennial plant that is easy to propagate from cuttings. It is best grown in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate a wide range of soil types. Propagation can be done by cuttings or division. Cuttings should be taken in late summer or early autumn and planted in a well-drained soil mix. Division can be done in spring or autumn.

Where to Find Carthamus creticus

Carthamus creticus is native to the Mediterranean region.

Carthamus creticus FAQ

What is the scientific name of Carthamus creticus?

Carthamus creticus

Where does Carthamus creticus grow?

Carthamus creticus is native to the Mediterranean region.

What type of soil does Carthamus creticus prefer?

Carthamus creticus prefers dry, sandy or gravelly soils.

Species in the Carthamus genus

Carthamus duvauxii, Carthamus dianius, Carthamus turkestanicus, Carthamus strictus, Carthamus gypsicola, Carthamus fruticosus, Carthamus arborescens, Carthamus pomelianus, Carthamus reboudianus, Carthamus multifidus, Carthamus lucens, Carthamus hispanicus, Carthamus mareoticus, Carthamus carduncellus, Carthamus tinctorius, Carthamus helenioides, Carthamus reboudianus, Carthamus cespitosus, Carthamus pomelianus, Carthamus rechingeri, Carthamus nitidus, Carthamus catrouxii, Carthamus pectinatus, Carthamus caeruleus, Carthamus chouletteanus, Carthamus faurei, Carthamus ilicifolius, Carthamus mitissimus, Carthamus tenuis, Carthamus balearicus, Carthamus calvus, Carthamus eriocephalus, Carthamus atractyloides, Carthamus plumosus, Carthamus creticus, Carthamus pinnatus, Carthamus lanatus, Carthamus dentatus, Carthamus leucocaulos, Carthamus tamamschjanae, Carthamus leucocaulos, Carthamus boissieri, Carthamus carthamoides, Carthamus rhiphaeus, Carthamus persicus, Carthamus battandieri, Carthamus glaucus, Carthamus oxyacantha, Carthamus curdicus, Carthamus rhaponticoides,

Species in the Asteraceae family

Aaronsohnia pubescens, Aaronsohnia factorovskyi, Abrotanella filiformis, Abrotanella rostrata, Abrotanella linearis, Abrotanella trilobata, Abrotanella muscosa, Abrotanella inconspicua, Abrotanella trichoachaenia, Abrotanella caespitosa, Abrotanella nivigena, Abrotanella pusilla, Abrotanella linearifolia, Abrotanella papuana, Abrotanella rosulata, Abrotanella emarginata, Abrotanella fertilis, Abrotanella spathulata, Abrotanella purpurea, Abrotanella patearoa, Abrotanella submarginata, Abrotanella diemii, Abrotanella scapigera, Abrotanella forsterioides, Acamptopappus shockleyi, Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Acanthocephalus benthamianus, Acanthocephalus amplexifolius, Acanthocladium dockeri, Acanthodesmos distichus, Acanthodesmos gibarensis, Acanthospermum humile, Acanthospermum consobrinum, Acanthospermum glabratum, Acanthospermum microcarpum, Acanthospermum hispidum, Acanthospermum australe, Acanthospermum lecocarpoides, Acanthostyles buniifolius, Acanthostyles saucechicoensis, Achillea buiana, Achillea conrathii, Achillea cucullata, Achillea styriaca, Achillea clavennae, Achillea cappadocica, Achillea huber-morathii, Achillea ptarmicoides, Achillea sieheana, Achillea barrelieri,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record gcc-6503: Based on the initial data import
Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.