Safflower is an important oilseed crop of considerable economic importance. India is largest producer of safflower in the world. The genus Carthamus belongs to the tribe Cardueae of the family Asteraceae. The genus includes ca. 17 species, of which only 3 species are found in India. The present account of safflower has been provide Structural detail of pollen biology, embryology, cytology, plant breeding, pests, diseases and medicinal uses.