Iris flowers have been used for their pigments for many centuries in Europe. Medieval manuscripts feature the use of purple iris flowers for obtaining blue and green colours. During the 14th century, ‘iris green’ became one of the main pigments used by manuscript illuminators. It was obtained by reaction of purple flower extract with alum, and it is believed that I. germanica was the source of the pigment.
Next: Sorghum bicolor (Great Millet)
Return to the trail home page.