Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Rubia
Species: tinctorum
(i)General background on the plant
This family contains two genera of outstanding economic importance - coffee shrubs (Coffea spp.) and Chincoma spp., for quinine extraction. There are about 35 species of madder, they vary in height from 1 to 3 metres. In Europe the plants are left in the soil for 24-30 months. The madder roots are long and about as thick as a lead pencil.
Madder was once the main cotton dye in Europe and was extensively cultivated in Europe, in France and Holland, and the Middle East for a range of red to purple dyes obtained from the rhizome. Since the second World War it has been substituted totally by synthetic dyes. 'Turkey Red' was a common dyeing process with a combination of turkey red oil, alum and madder.
(ii)Details of quality characters
The roots of Rubia tinctorum are well known as a source of the anthraquinone dyestuff, alizarin (1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone), based on the benzene ring structure. Alizarin is the parent form of many dyes and pigments, including mordants. Anthraquinone dyes occur in the free state in the plant as glucosides. The importance of madder ceased after the synthetic production of alizarin from coal on a commercial scale. However, its use for the treatment of kidney and bladder stones has continued. A rational explanation for the use as a medicinal product has not been found.
(iii)Current production and yields
(iv)Constraints on production
(v)Markets and market potential
Red and purple dyes.
(vi)Other information
See the following pages in the NF-2000 Database
(vii)Contacts
(viii)References
- D. E. Rougemont, 1989, A field guide to the crops of Britain and Europe, Collins London.
- Goodwin, J. (1981). A Dyer's Manual. Pelham.