MUM courses:
- Energy Use by Man and Nature
- Hands On Course In Sustainable Technologies
- Permaculture Design Certification
- Sustainability Forest Academy
- Artisan Foods and the Slow Food Movement
- Local Economy
Grinnell College courses:
Resource Center
Natural Dyes
'''Species List of Plants Edible and Natural Dyes''' Southeast Iowa Region
1. White Oak – (Quercus alba) - In the Fagaceae, or beech family. - Flowers in the form of catkins and fruit in the form of nuts - Characterized by alternate leaves with pinnate venation
Edible part - Acorn Dye color - Brown, tans to pinks (nuts - need to be boiled)
2. Elderberry - (Sambucus nigra ssp. Canadensis) (synonyms - Sambucus Canadensis) - Formerly treated in the honeysuckle family Caprifoliaceae,
but now shown by genetic evidence to be correctly classified in the moschatel family Adoxaceae. -
Edible part – Berries (need to be cooked) to destroy cyanide Toxicity.
Dye color – Blues, grays, and purples (berries)
3. Eastern Black Walnut – (Juglans nigra) - In the Juglandaceae family. - Exudes allelopathic compound juglone for roots and fallen leaves, which is toxic to some
plants
- Mice and squirrel attractor
Edible part – Nuts (excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, lowers
cholesterol.
Dye Color – Varies purple, brown to black (nuts, bark, roots)
4. Allegany Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) - In the Rosaceae family - Very vigorous tolerating poor soil - Astringent root, treats diarrhea and dysentery
Edible part – Berries (polyphenol antioxidant) Dye Color – Purple to blue (roots, canes, berries)
5. Hazelnut – (Corylus Americana) - - In the Betulaceae family - Oregon and Washington highest producers - Used in confectionery to make praline, with chocolate and in hazelnut butter.
Edible Part – Nut (rich in proteins and unsaturated fat, thiamin and B vitamins) Dye Color – Brown (roots, bark, nuts)
6. Wild Pasture Rose – (Rosa acicularis or Rosa arkansana) - In the Rosaceae family - May prevent break ins if planted under windows and near drainpipes or on fences.
Edible part - Rose hips (high vitamin C content) Dye Color – Varies Yellows to pinks
7. Blackcap Raspberry – (Rubus occidentalis) - In the rosaceae family - Dry, Mesic shrub - Partial shade sun - Edible Part - Berry Dye Color – Browns to purples (berries)
8. Mushrooms - Penicillin is a product of a mold fungus - Fungi that feed on plant materials and dead animals are responsible for much of the
natural decomposition heed to cycle nutrients in natural communities
Edible part – Whole fungus (most are high in fiber, niacin, B12, Niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, iron, selenium, potassium and phosphorus. Dye Color – Varies (whole fungus)
9. Wild Grapes – (Vitis riparia)
- In the Vitaceae family
- Strong and robust - Used as a rootstock for wine grapes -
Edible part – Fruit and leaves Dye Color – Purple (roots)
10. Serviceberry – (Amelanchier) - In the Rosaceae family - Also known as Shadbush, Shadblow, Shadwood, sugarplum, wild plum, Juneberry, and Saskatoon. - A beautiful ornamental plant
Edible part – Berry (good source of iron and copper)
Dye Color – Purple or blue-black
11. Goldenrod – (Solidago) - In the Asteraceae family - Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, and aquaretic/diuretic (increses the
excretion of water from the body).
Edible – Used in teas Dye color – Yellow (flowers)
Plant Profile
'+Goldenrod (Solidago)+'
Binomial name – Solidago (canadensis) Synonyms – SOCAS5 Meaning – To make whole (Latin) Leader (Greek) = Uniter Family – Asteraceae (sunflower), composite Origin – Latin Common names – Canada goldenrod
State flower of Kentucky and Nebraska, U.S.A.
Native to Europe and North America Spread to Asia and the Azores Cultivated now in all of these areas with over 130 recognizable species in the United States alone due to its unusual ability to crossbreed with other plants
Description of form – Size – - height of about 30 inches or 2-5 feet (varies) – Alternate leaves are about 4-6” long and 1” wide, slightly smaller towards apex of plant. Flower is less than ¼” across.
Rate of growth – Moderate Live span – Perennial – remains in bloom about 3 weeks Flowering – July to November (varies late summer to early fall) Root system – fibrous, producing creeping rhizomes that cause the plant to
cluster, sometimes forming dense colonies
Soil – a variety Pollination – Bee, wasp, fly, butterfly and moth
Uses – Goldenrod has Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, and aquaretic/diuretic (increses the excretion of water from the body) properties. Can be used as a douche because of its antifungal properties. It contains bioflavonoids, which strengthen veins and treat vericose veins and fragil capillaries. Goldenrod can ease colic, digestive disorders and flatulence. Historically it was most commonly used and a wound healer and as a dye. Used to treat allergies, colds, laryngitis, kidney stones, arthritis, urinary tract problems, skin conditions, tuberculosis, gout, hemorrhoids, internal bleeding, diabetes, insomnia and muscle disorders.
Propagation methods – Seed or root division Harvesting – Cut off at ground level and then hang upside down to dry. Symbiosis – Gall fly, Peacock fly, honeybee, butterfly, wasps, beetles
Varieties and Subspecies – prairie goldenrod, bog goldenrod, roundleaf goldenrod, Chapman’s goldenrod, twistleaf goldenrod, wand goldenrod, Nevada goldenrod, fall goldenrod, Rand’s goldenrod, Seaside goldenrod, rock goldenrod, Shadowy goldenrod, Wrinkleleaf goldenrod, Roan Mountain goldenrod, Western Rough goldenrod, Carolina goldenrod, downy goldenrod, Porter’s goldenrod, showy goldenrod, pine barren goldenrod, Deam’s goldenrod, Cutler’s alpine goldenrod, autumn goldenrod, dwarf goldenrod, Mt. Albert Goldenrod, plumed goldenrod, Small’s goldenrod, anisescented goldenrod, gray goldenrod, baby goldenrod, Rocky Mountain Goldenrod, arctic goldenrod, velvety goldenrod, Manyray goldenrod, Tolmies goldenrod, Missouri goldenrod, largeleaf goldenrod, Louisiana goldenrod, Leavenworth’s goldenrod, Elliot’s goldenrod, lance-leaf goldenrod, early goldenrod, Julia’s goldenrod, hairy goldenrod, Guirado goldenrod, Virginia goldenrod, clustered goldenrod, giant goldenrod, Gattinger’s goldenrod, zigzag goldenrod, Mountain decumbent goldenrod, Canada goldenrod, shorthair goldenrod, Harger’s goldenrod, salebrosa goldenrod, California goldenrod, limestone goldenrod, Buckley’s goldenrod, wreath goldenrod, Dixie goldenrod, white goldenrod, eared goldenrod, Atlantic goldenrod, Boott’s goldenrod, Atlantic goldenrod, Harris’ goldenrod, late goldenrod, high plains goldenrod, giant rock goldenrod, grassy rock goldenrod, Parry’s goldenrod, stiff goldenrod, Ohio goldenrod, Riddell’s goldenrod, woody goldenrod, Panamint rock goldenrod, pineland rayless goldenrod, Nevada goldenrod, Blue Ridge goldenrod, stout goldenrod, desert goldenrod, Texas desert goldenrod, Wright’s goldenrod.
Goldenrod is in the and has many human uses. With leaves of bright green and flower stems golden yellow, it thrives in rich, light soil with lots of sun. It has an invasive habit and the roots should be lifted and replanted every other year to prevent matting and spreading.
It is often unfairly blamed for hay fever because it blooms the same time as Ragweed. Its pollen it too heavy and sticky to be blown by the wind so it’s pollinated by insects. Thomas Edison experimented with it to produce rubber used on the tires of his Model T given to him by Henry Ford during World War II.
References
USDA NRCS Plants Database http://plants.usda.gov/
Native Plant Network http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org
Plants for a Future- Edible & Useful Plants for a Healthier World By Ken Fern
Plants for a Future website www.pfaf.org
Gaia’s Garden – A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture By Toby Hemenway
Garden guides http://www.gardenguides.com
Iowa Living Roadway http://www.iowalivingroadway.com
Guild of Plants
1. Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)- Can be used to treat a large variety of ailments. a. Blooms late summer, early fall
2. Large leaf aster (Aster macrophyllus ) – Can be used to make a tea for headache the dried leaves can be used in lieu of tobacco. Good for drying and preserving. a. Blooms late summer, early fall
3. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) - Can be used to make maple syrup, although Sugar Maple is much more commonly used. a. Very adaptable
4. Sedge – (Cyperaceae)- Used for weaving mats and other objects.
5. Blue Bead Lily (Clintonia borealis) - asdf jkljl - Young leaves said to taste like cucumber and are chopped and added to salads, or boiled for 10 minutes and served with butter and seasonings. Older leaves become bitter. a. Not readily available commercially, seed saver b. Flowers May and June c. Needs shade
This guild will grow in a Southeastern Iowa climate working together to create lighting conditions necessary for proper growth. It will grow in moderately sandy soil and can be used to feed bees. All will yield useful products for any homestead and propagate as species not very commonly utilized by humans. The guild will be utilized for a “retreat” space with a small Koi pond and bench.
References
USDA NRCS Plants Database http://plants.usda.gov/
Native Plant Network http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org
Plants for a Future- Edible & Useful Plants for a Healthier World By Ken Fern
Plants for a Future website www.pfaf.org
Gaia’s Garden – A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture By Toby Hemenway
Garden guides http://www.gardenguides.com
Iowa Living Roadway http://www.iowalivingroadway.com