Safflower Seeds Safflower often know as Bastard Saffron. Traditionally, the crop was grown for its seeds, and used for colouring and flavouring foods, in medicines, and making red dyes For the last fifty years or so, the plant has been cultivated mainly for the vegetable oil extracted from its seeds. Safflower produces oil rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid 78%) which play an important role in reducing blood cholesterol level The Safflower seed is also used for bird seed. Crows and squirels will not eat this seed so its good for hanging in the garden or to keep undesireables away.