Maclura tinctoria

Maclura tinctoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Tribe: Moreae
Genus: Maclura
Species: M. tinctoria
Binomial name
Maclura tinctoria
(L.) Steud.
Synonyms[1]
  • Chlorophora tinctoria (L.) Benth. & Hook. f.
  • Maclura mora Griseb.
  • Morus tinctoria L.

Maclura tinctoria, commonly known as old fustic or dyer's mulberry[2] is a medium to large tree of the Neotropics, from Mexico to Argentina. It produces a yellow dye called fustic primarily known for coloring khaki fabric for U.S. military apparel during World War I. This dye contains the flavonoid morin.[3]

The leaves can be used to feed silk worms.[4]

Old fustic is not to be confused with young fustic (Rhus cotinus) from southern Europe and Asia, which provides a more fugitive colour.

Dyeing

Fustic is a bright yellow dye that is very color-fast when used with mordants. It is frequently combined with other dyestuffs and various mordants to produce a range of yellow and greenish colors:[2]

References

  1. "USDA GRIN Taxonomy".
  2. 1 2 Goodwin, Jill (1982). A Dyer's Manual. London: Pelham Books Ltd. p. 60. ISBN 0-7207-1327-7.
  3. "Morus tinctoria". Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  4. Mabberley, D.J. (1997). The plant book: A portable dictionary of the vascular plants. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
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