Bure
Goeppertia loeseneri
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Marantaceae
Genus: Calathea
Species: Loeseneri
Common names: Bure, tinta verde
Part of the plant used for pigment: Leaf
Color: Blue-green
Bure pigment on paper.
Bure pigment on paper. 102 x 68 cm
Herbarium. Dried Bure leaves, sewn on rice paper. 77 x 57 cm. 2013.
Monotype on rice paper made from the dried Bure leaves. 100 x 65 cm. 2013.
Planta
Bure. Leticia, Colombia, 2011.
General Description
Herbaceous plant that grows up to a meter in height. Notable for its large, oval and elongated leaves up to twenty centimeters in length and green in color, being lighter at the center than on the sides. Its flowers are groupings of pink and white petals and bracts that stand out individually against the leaves.
Bure. Leticia, Colombia, 2011.
Geographic Distribution and Natural History
Its original distribution is restricted to a few countries in South America, especially Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. Although it is usually found in hot regions and requires high temperature and humidity, it is a shade plant.
.webp)
Bure. Leticia, Colombia, 2011.
Uses
In the Amazon, the indigenous Tikuna people call it “blue and green dye.” Its leaves are used in the rites of some Amazonian indigenous communities to paint a wide range of objects, decorate crafts, and in clothing. Due to its use in gardening, it has commercial value. It is commonly found as an ornamental indoor plant.
Pigment
Bure is hard to find, and it produces a blue-green colored pigment, obtained when its leaves are mashed. Its pigment is effectively, but the color loses intensity on cotton and does not set well on fique (natural fiber). Exposure to fire is not necessary during the dyeing process.
Extracción + teñido
