Sicilian sumac
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Description
A small tree, Rhus coriaria, native to Europe, whose leaves, bark and roots were used for dyes and tannins. The bark from the tree gives a fugitive pale yellow color when mordanted with alum but produces a strong black color with iron. Also called tanner's sumac, it was an important tanning agent in the Middle Ages.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Rhus coriaria; sommacco siciliano (It.); tanner's sumac; Sumac
Resources and Citations
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 786
- John and Margaret Cannon, Dye Plants and Dyeing, Herbert Press, London, 1994