Madder
| Botanical Name | Rubia tinctorum (Cultivated Madder), Rubia peregrina (Wild Madder) |
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Other Names | Dyer’s madder, krapp |
| Habitat | Woods, dry places |
| Description | Perennial climbing plant. 60-90cm/2-3ft. Leaves: oblong with prickly underside Flowers yellow star shaped June-August |
| Native to | Mediterranean, parts of Asia |
| Cultivation | Well drained soil, full or partial sunlight |
| Parts Used | Root |
| Actions | Antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, laxative, tonic, vulnerary |
| Constituents | Anthraquinone derivatives –ruberythric acid and its primveroside, alizarin, purpurinm mollugin, rubiadin, lucidin Asperuloside, iridoid |
| Genito-urinary | Urinary system |
| Other Uses | Harvest roots when plant is 2 years old for dye –red, pink, purple, brown, orange |