Wasp larvae cause the development of abnormal growths on oak trees called oak galls. A black ink can be made by adding iron sulphate to a solution of tannic acid extracted from the galls. The recipe for oak gall ink is extremely old, with the first record of its use being over 2,300 years ago. Oak gall ink has been used for many famous manuscripts and drawings, including Magna Carta and drawings by the artist Leonardo da Vinci, and was the dominant black ink used in Europe up to the 20th century.
Next: Cotinus coggygria (Smoke Tree)
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