Safflowers are the large orange, red, or yellow flowers produced by the thistle-like plant Carthamus tinctorius. They are used as a source of food colorants that may substitute for saffron dye, giving a warm yellow-to-red hue at far lower cost. The plant also has edible leaves and produces the seeds from which safflower oils are extracted, making it a multi-use crop. Its colorants serve confectionery, beverages, and other foods where a natural-looking yellow or red is wanted. The flowers yield both yellow and red pigments, which color foods, beverages, and textiles. As a hardy, drought-tolerant crop, safflower gives farmers in dry regions a dual income from dye flowers, edible oilseeds, and oilseed meal.