Rubia cordifolia is a rhizomatous perennial vine that can reach 1m. The flowers are small and have a cream color, they are arranged in clusters at the base of the leaves. Flowering occurs between July and September depending on the region. The fruits are small black berries. The roots are fleshy creeping rhizomes. It is botanically very close to Rubia tinctorium.
The plant has been extensively cultivated since the antiquity for the production of red color used to dye and print cloth. Until the mid nineteenth century and the advent of synthetic dyes, it represented an important economic resource as well in Asia, Europe and Africa.
Rubia cordifolia has antibacterial properties.
The main component of most madders is an anthraquinone, alizarin, which is found in the rhizome. It is present only in small amounts in this species. The main dyes are in order of the percentage munjistin, pseudopurpurin, purpurin which are all anthraquinones.
The color is mainly used for dyeing textiles (red or rose madder) and as a pigment in paint (madder lake).
