Brazilwood:
The reddish wood of certain tropical trees or shrubs in the pea family, especially a Brazilian tree (Caesalpinia echinata) whose wood is used for violin bows and was a source of red, purple, and black dye in early Chinese rugs.
Catechu Dye, Cutch:
A spiny Asian tree (Acacia catechu) also called Betel Palm with spikes of yellow flowers, and dark heartwood. Tannins and brown dyes are derived from the heartwood of this plant. Catechu dye was used in rugs of India.
Rhubarb:
Any of several plants of the Rheum family, especially R. rhubarbarum, which have edible long, green or reddish, acidic leafstalks. Yellow to copper-red dyes are derived from the leaves and used in rugs of China and India.
Sumac:
Any of various small trees of the Rhus family with compound leaves, clusters of small greenish flowers, and usually red, hairy fruit. The wood of the sumac tree may have been used as a yellow dye in rugs of China.
Turmeric:
A widely cultivated tropical plant of India (Curcuma tinctoria) with yellow flowers and an aromatic root which is used as a spice and yellow dye.
Weld:
A European plant (Reseda luteola) with long spikes of small, yellowish-green flowers.
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A yellow dye is derived from the stalks, leaves, and flowers. This plant is also called Dyer's Rocket. |
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Fustic:
A small dioecious tropical American tree (Cholorophora tinctoria), also called old fustic or dyer's mulberry. A yellow dye is derived from its wood.
Indigo:
Any of various shrubs or herbs of the genus Indigofera in the pea family with odd-pinnate leaves and usually red or purple flowers. A yellow juice from the plant oxidizes to blue when exposed to air. Indigo was chemically synthesized in 1880.
Madder:
A southwest Asian long lasting plant (Rubia tinctorum) with small yellow flowers, spiraled leaves, and a red root. The root of this plant was and in some places still is an important source of red dye. Different mordants produce different colors with madder: aluminum for red, tin for oranges, chromium for reddish brown and iron for purple and black.
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Madder was mostly replaced in the 1870's by synthetic dye alizarin. |
Safflower:
A yellow dye is produced from the orange flowers of safflower (Carthamus tinctoria). This dye may have been used in some early rugs of China, India and Tibet. The flowers also produce seeds, which contain oil used for cooking, cosmetics, paints, and medicine.
Saffron:
A plant (Crocus sativus) with purple or white flowers with orange stigmas. The dried aromatic stigmas are used as food coloring, cooking spice, and dyestuff. Saffron may have been used to dye some early rugs of China, India and the Balkans.
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