Maclura tinctoria

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]

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

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]

  • With woad or indigo: bright or Saxon greens
  • With bichromate of potash: old gold
  • With logwood and bichromate of potash: greenish yellows
  • With copper sulfate: olive greens
  • With ferrous sulfate: dark greens

References
  1. "Maclura tinctoria". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  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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