Guizotia

a genus of annual or perennial herbaceous plants of the family Compositae. There are approximately 12 species, distributed in tropical Africa. The best-known species is G. abyssinica. The plant has a branching stem, which is up to 1–2 m tall. The leaves are lanceolate. The numerous heads, each measuring 2–5 cm in diameter, are in a common panicled inflorescence. The rays are ligulate, large, yellow, and pistillate; the middle florets are tubular and bisexual. The shiny, black achenes are 3–6 mm long and contain 30–50 percent oil.

The Guizotia are native to the mountains of tropical East Africa. They are cultivated as oil plants, primarily in Ethiopia and India. The oil is used in food and in the manufacture of drying oil, paints, varnishes, and soap. The oil cake is used as livestock feed.