Maclura tinctoria
Maclura tinctoria, known as old fustic and dyer's mulberry,[3] is a medium to large tree of the Neotropics, from Mexico to Argentina. It produces a yellow dye called fustic primarily known for coloring khaki fabric for U.S. military apparel during World War I. This dye contains the flavonoid morin.[4] It is dioecious, so both male and female plants are needed to set seed.[5]
| Maclura tinctoria | |
|---|---|
![]()  | |
| In Argentina | |
| Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae | 
| Clade: | Tracheophytes | 
| Clade: | Angiosperms | 
| Clade: | Eudicots | 
| Clade: | Rosids | 
| Order: | Rosales | 
| Family: | Moraceae | 
| Genus: | Maclura | 
| Species: | M. tinctoria  | 
| Binomial name | |
| Maclura tinctoria | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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The leaves can be used to feed silk worms.[6]
Old fustic is not to be confused with young fustic (Rhus cotinus) from southern Europe and Asia, which provides a more fugitive colour.
Dyeing
    
Fustic is a bright yellow dye that is very color-fast when used with mordants. It is frequently combined with other dyestuffs and various mordants to produce a range of yellow and greenish colors:[3]
- With woad or indigo: bright or Saxon greens
 - With bichromate of potash: old gold
 - With logwood and bichromate of potash: greenish yellows
 - With copper sulfate: olive greens
 - With ferrous sulfate: dark greens
 
References
    
- Rivers, M.C.; Barstow, M.; Mark, J. (2017). "Maclura tinctoria". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T61886731A61886745. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T61886731A61886745.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
 - "Maclura tinctoria". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 17 December 2017.
 - Goodwin, Jill (1982). A Dyer's Manual. London: Pelham Books Ltd. p. 60. ISBN 0-7207-1327-7.
 - "Morus tinctoria". Retrieved 20 February 2010.
 - Leite, Viviane Gonçalves; Mansano, Vidal Freitas; Pádua Teixeira, Simone (2018). "Floral development of Moraceae species with emphasis on the perianth and androecium". Flora. 240: 116–132. doi:10.1016/j.flora.2018.01.009.
 - Mabberley, D.J. (1997). The plant book: A portable dictionary of the vascular plants. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
 


