Three Kingdom Colors

Reusable, sustainable cloth giftwrap, scarves and more from three Kingdoms of Life

PLANTAE

Sigh. Like other Kingdoms, there are so many ways in which scientists refer to members of the plant kingdom, including informal and formal (scientific or Linnean) names. Just know, Kingdom Plantae includes:

1. Vascular plants (those with tissues that transport nutrients);

a. plants that reproduce by seed including angiosperms (flowering plants like orchids, sunflowers, filberts, oaks and more) and gymnosperms (conifers, gingko and more);

b. plants that reproduce by spore (ferns and fern allies); and

2. Non-vascular plants such as mosses and liverworts. Instead of actively transporting nutrients and water, this group moves them by wicking (OK, and a few have rudimentary tissues like vascular plants).

Obviously, not all plants contain a dye whose color is desirable, lightfast or washfast.

Plantae

Information on each plant is organized in a useable structure. I have attempted to make the most sought after information readily available, having been frustrated with finding this myself. In recipes, all additives and dyes are added to the dyepot based on WOF (Weight of fabric) of 1lb of fiber, to make calculations easier. Please adjust as you need.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of dyes that can be obtained from plants. Just for fun, see the list sorted by color, by plant family or by plant part used.

Cutch

Fustic

Madder

Myrobalan

Onion skins

Persimmon

Pomegranate

Redwood

Walnut

Weld

© Karen Hall 2015