California Non-Native
& Invasive Dye Plants

• Acacia spp.

  • Some (Australian) species invasive in California

  • Strong tannin in bark

  • Most species & parts have dye potential; leaves, stems, bark, flowers, pods

• Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)

  • On invasive “watchlist” in coastal California

  • Dye with flowers, leaves, stems

• Castor (Ricinus communis)

  • Seeds are highly poisonous; original source of ricin

  • Dye with leaves and stems

  • Non-native, found in Southern & Central California

• Curly dock (Rumex crispus)

  • Dye with dried seeds and pods

  • Non-native, found throughout California

• Dyer’s woad (Isatis tinctoria)

  • Invasive in Northern & Central California

  • Historical dye plant; likely a dye garden escapee

  • Powerful blue dye; can also be prepared for pink/peach tones

• Eucalyptus spp.

  • Some species invasive in California

  • Strong tannin; dye with all parts of the tree (leaves, stems, bark)

  • All species have dye potential

• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

  • Invasive in coastal California

  • Strong flavonoid (yellow) dye

  • Whole plant dye-potent

• French broom (Genista monspessulana)

  • Dye with yellow flowers

  • Invasive throughout California

• Garland daisy (Glebionis coronaria)

  • Invasive in coastal California

  • Powerful yellow to orange dye from flowers and stems

• Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)

  • Agricultural escapee, invasive throughout California

  • Dye with flavonoid- and tannin-rich leaves and stems

• Pink pepper tree (Schinus molle)

  • Traditional Quechuan dye

  • Dye with leaves and stems (wear gloves, possible allergens)

• Pokeberry (Phytolacca americana)

  • Requires acidic pH for dyeing; semi-stable pink color

  • Great for making ink

  • Non-native, found throughout California

• Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

  • Invasive in wetland habitats; do not disturb to collect

  • Dye with flowers and stems; gray to black with iron

• Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)

  • Dye with flowers

  • Non-native, found in Northern California

• Scabiosa/pincushion (Scabiosa atropupurea)

  • On invasive watchlist, found in central and southern California

  • Flowers have powerful/somewhat stable anthocyanin dye (green, blue, purple)

• Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)

  • Dye with yellow flowers

  • Invasive throughout California

• Sourgrass (Oxalis pes-caprae)

  • Powerful yellow to orange dye (and red eco-prints) from flowers

  • Invasive in California

• Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)

  • Invasive in California

  • Found widely in coastal & mountainous areas

  • Dye with (delicious smelling) yellow flowers

  • Traditional fiber plant of the Mediterranean Basin

• Sticky snakeroot (Ageratina adenophora)

  • Invasive in California riparian ecosystems

  • Sold commercially as dye extract “eupatorium”

  • Dye with leaves and stems

  • Only harvest when dandelion-like seeds are not present (main vector of spread)

• Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

  • Dye with leaves (collect with gloves; leaves have stinging trichomes)

  • Requires copper dye pot for semi-stable color

• Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

  • Dye with flowers

  • Moderately invasive in northern coastal California

• Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

  • Dye with leaves and stems

  • Invasive throughout California

• Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

  • Yellow dye from flowers

  • Invasive mostly in Northern California

CALIFORNIA Native
Dye Plants

• Black walnut (Juglans californica)

  • Southern California species on endangered watchlist

  • Hulls of walnut make tan dye

  • Native Californian basketry dye
    

• Coffeeberry (Frangula californica)

  • Strong yellow dye from leaves & stems
    

• Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana)

  • Native Californian basketry dye

  • Combination of fruit & leaves, fermented, make semi-stable gray-purple dye
    

• Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina)

  • Leaves and stems contain strong tannin

  • Both mordant and dye
    

• Oak (Quercus spp.)

  • Strong tannins in galls, acorns, bark

  • Native Californian basketry dye

  • Both mordant and dye
    

• Prickly pear (Opuntia spp.)

  • Semi-stable purple dye from fruit; stronger if fermented

  • Cochineal (parasitic insects) nest on cactus paddles; historical colorfast pink/red dye
    

• Sagebrush spp. (Artemisia californica, A. tridentata)

  • Leaves and stems make strong yellow dye

  • A. tridentata is a historical Navajo dye
    

• Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)

  • Leaves and stems make yellow to orange dye

  • Fermentation strengthens color
    

• Wild tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

  • Leaves and stems make strong yellow dye

Garden & Kitchen Dyes

Flowers:

• Coreopsis

• Hollyhock

• Marigold

• Zinnia

Herbs:

• Fennel

• Rosemary

From the kitchen:

• Avocado pits & skins

• Black tea

• Carrot greens

• Pomegranate skins

• Yellow onion skins