2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Indigofera tinctoria (lat. Indigofera tinctoria) - a shrub plant of the genus Indigofer (lat. Indigofera) of the glorious legume family (lat. Fabaceae). The leaves of the plant have long been used to produce a long-lasting blue dye that has been used to dye fabrics. The homeland of Indigofera dyeing is India, which has been famous for its bright fabrics throughout the centuries. From India, the plant has successfully "spread" to many countries with tropical climates so that local craftsmen can independently produce blue dye for dyeing fabrics. Although today man has learned to artificially synthesize blue paint, handicraft industries continue to use the old method of obtaining it. In addition, the plant has healing powers.
What's in your name
The generic Latin name "Indigofera" is a complex word consisting of two Latin words meaning "blue paint" and "bring, carry", which can be interpreted as "a plant that brings blue paint." This is due to the fact that there were times when Europeans used blue paint brought from India, where it was obtained from the leaves of such plants.
The Russian specific epithet "dyeing" is a literal translation of the Latin "tinctoria" and is also associated with the "artistic" abilities of the plant, which gives artists and fabric manufacturers a persistent blue dye.
Blue paint from India was discovered for Europeans by an Italian merchant named Marco Polo (1254 - 1324), who loved to travel the world.
Description
Depending on the climate where Indigofera dye has to grow, the plant can be annual, biennial or perennial. The place of residence of the shrub also affects its height, which ranges from one to two meters.
Light green leaves are feathery, similar to the leaves of Acacia. Each leaf consists of elliptical leaves arranged in pairs on the stem, in the amount of three to seven pairs. The surface of a simple leaf plate of miniature leaflets is bare, and the reverse side is covered with compressed hairs.
In the axils of the leaves, racemose inflorescences are born, formed by pink-purple flowers of the moth type, characteristic of plants of the legume family. The flowers unfurl their sails gradually, starting from the base of the inflorescence and gradually moving towards the top.
After pollination, the flower turns into a linear-cylindrical traditional pod, the outer surface of which is protected by white pubescence, and from four to six seeds are hidden inside.
Natural dye
Surprisingly, plants get a blue dye from green leaves. And such a magical transformation takes place due to the content in the leaves of a colorless substance called "indican glycoside". If you act on a glycoside, for example, with a weak acid, it breaks down to form glucose, loved by humans, and a colorless substance called aglycone indoxyl. The latter is so gentle that, once in the arms of the air, it immediately oxidizes and gives a person a "blue indigo". Such an artisan earthly nature!
Modern industry has learned to make an artificial blue dye, taking away the palm from Indigofera dyeing, but not completely displacing the plant from the suppliers of stable blue dye.
Soil Healer
Like most plants of the legume family, Indigofera dyeing house gives shelter to microorganisms on its roots, which saturate the soil with nitrogen. Therefore, the plant is planted in fields, the soil of which is depleted by previous plantings and needs to be treated.
Medicinal properties of the plant
Those who like to dye their hair black are familiar with a natural dye called "basma", which also heals the scalp. Its components are the leaves of Indigofera dyeing in company with the leaves of Thornless Lavsonia. From the dried leaves of the latter, a natural hair dye called "henna" is made. By adding the leaves of Indigofera dyeing plant to henna, they get "basma".
In the countries of Southeast Asia, Indigofera dye leaves are used to treat skin diseases, including fighting boils. Indian healers use the plant to treat liver problems.
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Vaida Dyeing
Vaida dyeing belongs to a family called cabbage or cruciferous, in Latin the name of this family is as follows: Bressicaceae Burnett. The name of the very same Vaida dyeing in Latin: Isatis tinctoria L. Description of woad dyeing Such a plant as weida dyeing is also known under the following popular names:
Dyeing Gorse
Dyeing gorse is one of the plants of the family called moths, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Genista tinctoria L. As for the name of the gorse family itself, in Latin it will be: Papilionaceae. Description of gorse dyeing Gorse is a small shrub endowed with a strong branched rhizome and stems.
Coreopsis Dyeing
Coreopsis tinctoria (lat.Coreopsis tinctoria) - an annual herb with bright baskets of inflorescences is one of the plant species of the genus Coreopsis, which is part of the Astrovye family. The plant is relatively unpretentious, drought-resistant, with winter-hardy seeds, sun-loving, but also tolerates a thin shade.
Pupavka Dyeing
Pupavka dyeing is one of the plants of the family called Asteraceae or Asteraceae, in Latin the name of this plant will sound like this: Anthemis tinctoria L. s. L. As for the name of the family of umbilical dye itself, in Latin it will be as follows:
Serpukha Dyeing
Serpukha dyeing is one of the plants of the family called Asteraceae or Compositae, in Latin the name of this plant will sound as follows: Serratula tinctoria L. (S. inermis Gilib.). As for the name of the serpukha family itself, in Latin it will be as follows:
