Chokanary
Picramnia sellowii
Orden: Order: Picramniales
Familia: Family: Picramniaceae
Género: Genus: Picramnia
Especie: Species: Sellowii
Nombres comunes: Common names: Chokanari, morado, nanantahue, pahaku, sam panga.
Parte de la planta que se usa para el pigmento: Part of the plant used for pigment: Leaf
Color: Purple
Chokanary pigment on paper. 102 x 68 cm
Pigmento de chokanary sobre papel.
102 x 68 cmChokanary pigment on paper.
102 x 68 cm
Herbarium. Dried Chokanary leaves, sewn on rice paper.
77 x 57 cm. 2013.
Monotype on rice paper made from the dried Chokanary leaves.
100 x 65 cm. 2013.
Chokanary. Leticia, Colombia, 2011.
Descripción general
General Description
Small tree that can grow up to eight meters in height. The main stem is narrow, its branches thin, and a variable-sized crown. It has small, oval-shaped leaves and small, white, clustered flowers. Its fruits may be either red or black, growing together in bunches, similar in appearance to coffee beans.
Chokanary. Leticia, Colombia, 2011.
Distribución geográfica
e historia natural
Geographic Distribution
and Natural History
Found in tropical America, especially in the Amazon basin. Although a warm climate shrub, it tolerates shade.
Chokanary mixed with water. Leticia, Colombia, 2011
Usos
Uses
The branches, leaves and fruits produce a purple pigment. Amazonian indigenous communities use it to dye natural fibers, painted over fabrics, and decorate their homes. Its timber is commonly used along the Pacific area of Colombia to build boats and housing.
Pigmento
Pigment
The chokanary produces a purple dye that is extracted after macerating its leaves. This is a very rare species, providing attractive dyes given the intensity of its purple and the excellent adhesion on paper, fique and cotton. It is a versatile pigment, since it turns brownish-red when exposed to fire. In this case, however, the color was applied without exposure to heat.
