Buckthorn Bark (100g)

Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) bark  gives a strong yellow and is a substantive dye which means that it can be used without mordanting. Fermented it gives colour in the photograph which  is possibly the fiery red of the Celts who had no word for orange. I would describe it as a terracotta red/orange and is obtained by fermenting it for three days with wood ash lye. More information on this eco-friendly technique is my Colours of the World Eco Dyeing Book.