Madder
ExplorePlants
Madder
Rubia L.
Madder is a plant with small, star-shaped flowers that can be used to make red dye. It grows low to the ground and is loved by butterflies for its sweet nectar.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Madder is a scrambling plant with rough, lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls around square stems. It produces tiny, star-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers in summer, followed by small black berries. Its stems and leaves are covered in hooked prickles, helping it cling and climb.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyRubiaceaeGenusRubia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient Egyptians used madder to dye mummy wrappings a deep reddish-brown color!
Madder berries turn a dark, shiny black, looking like tiny beads on the plant!
Roman soldiers would sometimes color their cloaks with madder dye to show their rank.
The bright red dye from madder was once more valuable than gold in some places!
Special abilities
Ability
Dye Master
Madder has special chemicals in its roots that create vibrant red and orange dyes used to color fabrics for thousands of years.
Ability
Climbing Hooks
Its square stems and rough leaves have tiny, hooked prickles that help it scramble over other plants to reach sunlight.
Ability
Water Seeker
Madder can grow deep roots that help it find and absorb water even in dry, rocky soils where other plants struggle.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-150 cm
- Spread
- 30-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Helps madder flowers make seeds.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
eaten by
Common Blackbird
Turdus merula
Feeds on madder's small black berries, spreading seeds.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Dye
This human use trait indicates species from which natural dyes can be extracted and used to color textiles, food, or other materials.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Dye PlantRubia
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Enjoy looking at madder plants, but avoid picking or eating them as some parts may be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Madder?
50-150 cm
How wide does Madder spread?
30-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Madder?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Madder bloom?
Summer
Is Madder edible?
No
Is Madder toxic?
Mild
What is Madder's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Madder pollinated?
Insect
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