PLANTS USED IN DYES 

 Process of Dyeing 



The general process of dyeing among the Chippewa consisted in 

 the use of a vegetable substance to secure a color and of a mineral 

 substance to " set " it. Porcupine quills were the articles most easily 

 dyed, and they retain their color longest. Rushes are the hardest 

 material to dye and often require several " dippings " before the 

 desired shade can be procured. Yarn and ravelings of blankets were 

 among the materials most frequently colored by the Chippewa 

 women. Wooden implements were colored by rubbing them with the 

 fresh root of the blood-root, producing an orange shade. 



Both plants and tree products were used in dyes. The latter could 

 be obtained at any season of the year, and the trees used were com- 

 mon trees, so they were usually obtained when needed. An exception 

 is the butternut tree, which does not grow in all parts of the Chip- 

 pewa country. The inner bark of this is used for black dye, and 

 packets of it are taken from one locality to another and kept as care- 

 fully as medicinal roots. Whenever a woman sees a plant that she 

 may at some time need in making dye she gathers it, dries it, and 

 stores it for use. 



List of Plants Used in Dyes 



Botanical name 



Common name 



Part of plant used 



Alnus incana (L.) Moench 



Betula papyrifera Marsh 



Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb 



Cornus stolonifera Michx 



Corylus americana Walt 



Juglans cinerea L 



Acer 



Juniperus virginiana L 



Lithospermum carolinense (Walt) 

 MacM. 



Prunus americana Marsh 



Quercus macrocarpa Muhl 



Rhus glabra L 



Sanguinaria canadensis L 



Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr 



Alder 



White birch 



Goldthread 



Red-osier dogwood. 



Hazel 



Butternut 



Maple (any variety) 



Cedar 



Puccoon 



Chokecherry 



Bur oak 



Sumac 



Bloodroot 



Hemlock 



Inner bark. 

 Do. 



Root, 



Inner bark. 

 Green bur. 

 Bark and root. 

 Rotted wood. 

 Inner bark. 

 Dried root. 



Inner bark. 

 Do. 



Pulp of stalk, 

 also inner bark. 

 Inner bark. 

 Do. 



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