Possible bird seed flower

[Ollie]

Hi all.

Can anyone tell me what this flower is. It is growing in our garden under the bird feeding station and I think it may be something that has grown from the spilt seed as we have never had anything remotely like it in the garden before.

The plant stands about thirty inches tall. It has one single stem at ground level but branches into four or five stems about one foot from the ground. All these stems have flowers or buds on

The leaves are a deep green and fairly shiny with a tough leathery feel when touched.

Any help with an ID much appreciated
Thanks
Roger

This first photograph shows the leaves and a developing bud


This photograph shows a nearly mature bud


Finally a flower

[Tiggrx]

It is a Safflower (Carthamus tinctoria) commonly used in bird seed

[Ida]

Looks like Carthamus tinctorius (False Saffron, Safflower) to me. I don't know if it's ever an ingredient in bird seed, but it's traditional grown as a source of red and yellow dye. It's also a pretty common garden plant, and makes good 'everlasting' dried flowers.

Hope that's a help.

[Ida]

Thanks Tiggrx you've just answered my question - wish it was included in the bird seed I use, I only ever get loads of cereal crops coming up all over my garden.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

It is a Safflower (Carthamus tinctoria) commonly used in bird seed

Many thanks for the swift reply Tiggrx. It's been puzzling us for a few days since it burst into flower. Quite an attractive plant actually.
Roger

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Ida

Looks like Carthamus tinctorius (False Saffron, Safflower) to me. I don't know if it's ever an ingredient in bird seed, but it's traditional grown as a source of red and yellow dye. It's also a pretty common garden plant, and makes good 'everlasting' dried flowers.

Hope that's a help.

Many thanks as well for your input Ida
Roger