Rubia tinctorum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Rubia sativa
- Description
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Common madder is an evergreen climbing perennial in the coffee family (Rubiaceae) native to Eurasia. The roots have been used since ancient times as a red dye.
Madder grows 1.5 to 3 feet tall and wide in well-drained soils that are moist to dry. The leaves and stems bear tiny recurved hooks that allow the plant to scramble and climb among neighboring vegetation. Propagation is by seed, and germination can be slow. They can also be divided.
The small star-shaped yellow flowers appear in large clusters in summer. They are followed by clusters of berries turning from red to purple. The leaves whorled around the stems in groups of 4 to 7.
This plant is primarily grown for its roots, which produce a red dye. Grow on a trellis for best results.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rubia
- Species:
- tinctorum
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Has been used as a red dye for leather, wool, cotton and silk
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eurasia
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Berries are red, maturing to purple
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Tiny pale yellow, 5-petaled flowers appear in dense clusters from June to August.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide, produced in whorls of 4 to 7 around the stem.Theleaves andstems have tiny hooks for climbing.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green scrambling, quadrangular stems with tiny hooks for climbing
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Vertical Spaces
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
