Part 8

Previously, the colors of clothing were not a question of taste, but rather an expression of affluence. Only wealthy citizens and nobles could afford blue, red and green clothes. Therefore, woad, madder, reseda and safflower were profitably grown. Pale yellow and brown pigments from plants, such as  golden marguerite, were left for the clothing of farmers.

Woad was highly sought-after until the import of indigo. It brought great wealth to the regions where it was cultivated during the Middle Ages, including Thuringia. Today, the plant is practically only found where it went wild.

Since the invention of synthetic dyes, color plants have little meaning. Only the dyes for some foodstuffs originate from the colors of fruits such as peppers or blueberries.