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Rubia tinctorum
  • Madder

a perennial evergreen member of the Rubia genus in the family Rubiaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Rubia tinctorum has 0 material uses listed
Rubia tinctorum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Rubia tinctorum.

Material uses

A very good quality red dye is obtained from the roots. Some reports say that 2 year old roots are used in the spring and autumn[1][2][3] whilst others say that 3 year old roots are used[4][5]. The roots can be dried for later use[4]. The dye can also be extracted from the leaves[4]. This dye is also used medicinally[2]. The leaves and stem are prickly, the whorls of leaves having spines along the midrib on the underside[6]. This feature enables them to be used for polishing metalwork[6][7].

Unknown part

Dye
Polish

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is aperient, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic and emmenagogue[6][8][9]. It is taken internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder stones[3]. The root is seldom used in herbal medicine but is said to be effective in the treatment of amenorrhoea, dropsy and jaundice[6]. The roots are harvested in the autumn from plants that are at least 3 years old. They are peeled and then dried[3]. When taken internally the root imparts a red colour to the milk, urine and bones, especially the bones of young animals, and it is used in osteopathic investigations[6][2].

Unknown part

Aperient
Astringent
Cholagogue
Diuretic
Emmenagogue

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for the first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring or at any time in the growing season if the divisions are kept well watered until established[2]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Rubia tinctorum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a light sandy soil in full sun[10]. Plants grown in fertile well-limed soils produce more pigment in the root[4].

This plant was at one time widely cultivated for the red dye obtained from its roots, this dye is now manufactured chemically[2]. However, it is still cultivated in Europe as a medicinal dye plant. The plant produces many side roots that can travel just under the surface of the soil for some distance before sending up new shoots[6].

This species is closely related to R. peregrina[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Rubia tinctorum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Rubia tinctorum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Rubia tinctorum
Genus
Rubia
Family
Rubiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[6][8][9][3][2]
Material uses & Functions
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Botanic
[2]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
moderate
Mature Size
1 x 1 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
?
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Illustration Rubia tinctorum1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Rubia tinctorum1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Illustration Rubia tinctorum1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Illustration Rubia tinctorum1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.4 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  5. ? 5.05.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.76.8 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. (1970-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  10. ? Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)

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Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Rubia_tinctorum&oldid=80303"
Facts about "Rubia tinctorum"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyRubiaceae +
Belongs to genusRubia +
Has binomial nameRubia tinctorum +
Has common nameMadder +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateModerate +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has imageIllustration Rubia tinctorum1.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye + and Polish +
Has mature height1 +
Has mature width1 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAperient +, Astringent +, Cholagogue +, Diuretic + and Emmenagogue +
Has primary imageIllustration Rubia tinctorum1.jpg +
Has search namerubia tinctorum + and madder +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameRubia tinctorum +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Rubia tinctorum +, Rubia tinctorum +, Rubia tinctorum +, Rubia tinctorum +, Rubia tinctorum +, Rubia tinctorum + and Rubia tinctorum +