Polygonaceae Rumex venosus Pursh

Veiny Dock

Great Basin Indian - Dye, Orange

Use documented by:
Nickerson, Gifford S., 1966, Some Data on Plains and Great Basin Indian Uses of Certain Native Plants, Tebiwa 9(1):45-51, page 47

View all documented uses for Rumex venosus Pursh

Scientific name: Rumex venosus Pursh
USDA symbol: RUVE2 (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Veiny Dock
Family: Polygonaceae
Family (APG): Polygonaceae
Native American Tribe: Great Basin Indian
Use category: Dye
Use sub-category: Orange
Notes: Peeled root used to make a burnt orange dye. The procedure involved was described by children at the Wind River Community Day School as follows: 'We break the roots into inch pieces. We then spread them out very thin on papers. We place them in the sun. We let it get very dry. After it is very dry we put it into water. We let it soak for a few days. We then boil it in the water it has soaked in. After it has boiled a long time we put some alum in it. This sets the color.'

RECRD: 2329 id: 35494