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Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich. © Flora of China

Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich. © C.Laroque

Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich. © L.B. Vilmont

Identification

Fibre type	Bast fiber
Average fibre lenght	60 – 250 mm
Average fibre width	17 – 80 μm
Fibre ends	Round ends (rarely present).
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases	Longitudinal stratifications of the wall, many crosses.
Associated cells	Crystals of calcium oxalate.
Special features	Fibers are flat, ribbon-shaped and tend to twist and tangle; they have a large lumen and a membrane. Cross-section: flatter than tubular, lumen and walls of varying thickness.
Herzberg staining	Orange red.
Graff 'C' staining	Red.

Botanical classification

Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich.

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Urticaceae

Synonyms:

Boehmeria nivea (L.) Hook. f. & Arn.

Urtica nivea L. (pour Boehmeria nivea var. nivea)

Ramium niveum (L.) Kuntze

Plant growing area

Originated in tropical areas of Asia.

Bhutan, Cambodia, China (South Anhui, Fujian, South Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, South Henan, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, South Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Nepal, Sikkim, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.

Forest margins, thickets, moist places along streams, roadsides, often cultivated; 200-1700 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, Japan.

Plant cultivation and use

Boehmerias form one of the genera of the Urticaceae family; the genus includes one hundred species. There are about 65 tropical or subtropical species of which 6 are endemic in China. These are flowering plants, but unlike other members of the same family, genus bears no stinging hairs.

Boehmeria nivea or white ramie or is a large perennial herb. It spreads by fragmentation of rhizomes. The stems reach 2 to 3m high. The plant likes sandy and well drained soils.

The plant is cultivated for its resistant bast fibers. It is possible to obtain 2-4 harvests per year depending on the climate of the region.

Its fibers are shorter than those of hemp, but they are very strong in the manufacture of ropes and nets. The longest fibers are reserved for the textile industry while the shortest are for paper manufacturing.

This is one of the oldest textile plants because its use would have started more than 6000 years ago (it was used in the manufacture of strips for the preparation of mummies in Egypt).

However, the fibers are difficult to extract from the plant. Indeed, it is difficult to peel them in tow because they are very embedded with gums.

The fibers are difficult to dye due to high molecular crystallinity. They have a shiny appearance that made them qualify as silk plant.

The other species appreciated for textiles, is the green ramie (Boehmeria utilis, Boehmeria tenacissima), which is also cultivated in China.

Ramie has medical uses in particular it is febrifuge. Leaves and roots are also eaten.
Boehmeria nivea can also be grown as forage plant.

China:

The cultivation of ramie is reflected in China over 3000 years. The documents refer mainly to its culture as a textile plant. It grew around in the wild in China, especially in north and west areas, such as flax, hemp, jute. All these plants are called “ma” in old Chinese documents.

According to Ying-Hsing in « Tiangong kaiwu » or « Creations of nature and work of man » (circa 1600-1660) there are two varieties, green and yellow. Stems can be harvested two or three times a year. The fiber is different from flax, hemp and jute as it is covered with pectin, which is not easy to remove by bacterial action.

The process of elimination of pectin to get the fiber, is described by Lu Chi in the "Shih Ching" from the 3rd century: Remove the bark with a bamboo or iron knife; boil the internal fibers. This textile is used as furnishing textile throughout southern China.

The process of elimination of pectin was not well known in northern China that is why the clothes made with ramie were produced and worn especially in the south. They are known to be light for summer and are worn by the common people. It also used to make curtains, mosquito nets.
The Mongolian government in the13th century tried to introduce its culture in northern China but without success because the ramie does not grow well in the north, too dry. It survived in the south to the development of cotton cultivation. In the 19th century there is a flourishing trade in Canton for export to Europe.

Ramie is one of the oldest fibers used in China in the manufacture of paper. From the Tang Dynasty (618-907), there is a strong demand for hemp textiles; hemp reserved for textiles use, will be progressively replaced by ramie in the manufacture of paper. Its use will disappear at the end of the dynasty.

Japan:

It was mainly used as a textile plant in particular in the production of a very fine fabric called Miyako-Jōfu from the Miyako-jima Islands (Okinawa Prefecture). The fabric allows making clothes well adapted to local climatic conditions.

Korea:

It has rarely been used in Korea as a paper plant but mainly as a textile plant.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Harvesting is made when stems turn to brown. The leaves are removed from the stems, the stems are steamed and the fibres stripped off. This inside bark is dried to avoid rotting.

The fibres are cooked for 2 hours with lye (fresh material might require longer cooking). They are then beaten in a Hollander beater.

Paper names

In Asia and particularly in China, Korea and Japan, the papers are intended for a wide range of use: Papers for calligraphy and art, Papers for ceremonies, Paper as a medium of exchange, money paper, Papers for making clothes, wall hangings and bedding, Papers for architecture, interior design, Papers for crafts of various kinds, for domestic purposes and leisure. The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

China:

Suffixes zhi or chih = paper.

In China, unlike Korea and Japan, papers made with paper mulberry fibers are not prominent, the production of paper from bamboo fiber being the most important.

Used part of the plant:

Stem

Use for paper making:

Fiber

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

China (Fujian, Gansu, Guizhou, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan.

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Its use as a dye plant is very old and widespread in the world. There are traces of its use since prehistoric times in Europe; its cultivation probably dates back to very ancient times. Egypt was a very ancient center of pastel dyeing.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The roots and leaves are also used for medicinal purposes for their healing properties. The seed oil is used in the industry. The plant was also used as forage or pasture. In the Middle East, mixed with henna, it is used to dye hair.

The leaves contain a colorless glycoside of indoxyline, isatan B. By acid or enzymatic hydrolysis (fermentation) this one releases indoxyl which oxidizes by contact with oxygen from the air into dihydro-indigo (greenish) and then into indigotine (blue).

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

Li Shizen in « Bencao gangmu » or « Materia Medica Compendium », published in 1590, presents various kinds of indigo plants Sunglan (Isatsis tinctoria), Liaolan (Polygonum tinctorium), Mulan (Indigofera tinctoria).

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

The preparation of the dye from indigo plants involves three main techniques: the direct method of dyeing, the manufacture of shells and of starch indigo. However, there are many geographic variations related mainly to locally available ingredients.

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

Indigo starch method: After harvesting the leaves are left to dry and then left to ferment in a tank or a pit covered with a small layer of water. Bacterial fermentation in the tank is maintained at the fixed rate thanks to the addition of lime shell. It can take up to 20 hours depending on the ambient temperature.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

Shell method: The leaves are stored in a warehouse where they are moistened and brewed regularly during one hundred days. The temperature rises progressively according to the fermentation. The leaves are then crushed, drained and formed into shells or aidama which are dried.

So that they can be used for dyeing, these balls are crushed and the fermentation is reactivated by addition of warm water. The dye is directly extracted from the leave ball (which requires filtering).

Indigo starch method: After harvesting, the leaves are left to dry for two days. Then, they are put to ferment in a tank covered with a small layer of water. The fermentation can take up to 20 hours depending on the ambient temperature.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Dyeing of paper is made in two ways: paper pulp dyeing (sukizome) or paper sheet dyeing by dipping (hitashizome). To dye paper by soaking, the sheets are plucked one by one between two wooden sticks by their small side. This will keep the sheet flat during soaking.

Usually three jars of dye are prepared with decreasing concentrations. The paper is dipped in the less concentrated dye jar and oxidation occurs in the air; the paper is then soaked in the little beat more concentrated dye. After oxidation, the sheet is dipped into the third jar with the strongest concentration. The process can be repeated several times to obtain a color more or less intense. The sheet is dried by exposing the surface to air; the color changes by oxidation.

Korea:

The papers are dyed in three ways: dyeing of the pulp (Seonyeombeop), dyeing of the sheet by dipping, brushing and spraying (Huyeombeop ), combination of the both methods (Honyeombeop). Then the paper can be hammered.

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

English

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Korea:

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

French

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Korea:

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

French

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Korea:

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Japanese

Local scripture:

ハマタイセイ　

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Korea:

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

French

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Korea:

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Korean

Local scripture:

대청

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Korea:

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Chinese

Local scripture:

大青叶

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Korea:

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Language:

Chinese

Local scripture:

菘蓝

Botanical classification

Isatis tinctoria L.

Order:

Brassicales

Family:

Brassicaceae

Synonyms:

Isatis indigotica Fortune

Isatis oblongata DC. var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Y. L. Chang

Isatis tinctoria var. indigotica (Fortune) T. Y. Cheo & K. C. Kuan

Isatis tinctoria var. yezoensis (Ohwi) Ohwi

Isatis yezoensis Ohwi

Plant growing area

Isatis tinctoria originated perhaps from India. The species is spontaneous in North Africa, Europe (mostly in Mediterranean area) and Western Asia until Xinjiang (China).

It grows in fields, on roadsides at an altitude of 600-2800 m.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Japan, Korea.

Plant cultivation and use

The genus Isatis includes 107 species in Europe and the Mediterranean area, 72 species in Asia.

Isatis tinctoria is a biennial herbaceous plant, 1m to 1.50m tall, with branched stem. It grows better in rich or calcareous soils and sunny lands.

The flowers are small, yellow and grow in clusters. Flowering occurs from May to June. The black fruits are oval.

The plant allows several harvests per year if the soil and sun exposure are good.

Indigo plants represent about one thousand species in the world. Isatis tinctoria is the indigo plant which was the most widely used.

The leaf also contains but in much smaller amount, an other glycoside capable of providing indoxyl, indican.
Blues are used as basis for greens and violets dyeing (purple imitation).

China:

It is a cultivated species, very popular throughout China in traditional medicine. The roots are dried and ground into granules that will be consumed as teas.

The plant is used as dye stuffs in particular for cotton fabrics and especially for dyeing silk.

The dye is used as basis for greens in combinaison with Sophora japonica or for blacks in combinaison with walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim., Juglans Regia L.).

Japan:

Indigo plants used in Japan are Indigofera tinctoria, Strobilanthes flaccidifolia, Isatis tinctoria and Polygonum tinctorium. The latter is the most frequently used in Japan.

The use by Ainu of Isatis tinctoria is very old, prior to the use of Knotweed (Polygonum tinctorium).

To obtain a light blue paper, it is possible to dye the pulp in the tank. To obtain an intense blue, the paper is colored by soaking in a dye bath.

Blue papers are used to cover books.

Korea:

It is a cultivated species. The dye is used as basis for greens.

Preparation process for making paper

China:

Sowing takes place in March or in October. Harvesting can be done several times in the year from June. The leaf is ripe when it begins to wilt, turn to yellow or purple.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize.

Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye). The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is kept in mud. It is sold in this shape.

Japan:

The seeds are sown autumn. Harvesting starts when leaves are ripe in June. It is renewed every twenty days.

The liquid is then collected and filtered. It is beaten to make him absorb oxygen and oxidize. Precipitation is done by adding an alkali (caustic lime or ash lye).

The deposit is washed, boiled and filtered. The paste, called indigo starch, is then formed into cakes.

Korea:

Paper names

Japan:

Suffixes kami, gami, shi = paper.
In Japan kozo papers are the most numerous.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.
In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Used part of the plant:

Leaf

Use for paper making:

Dye

Primary tabs

Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

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Primary tabs

Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Isatis tinctoria L.

Pages