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Reference · Crops

Madder family

Common madder (Rubia tinctorum) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. Historically, it is the most significant species of the genus used as a source of red dye, extracted from the roots and rhizomes, and widely utilized in traditional and modern medicine.

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Gardenia21 Hedyotis16 Guettarda8 Geophila6 Hymenocoleus4 Hamelia3 Hydnophytum3 Hymenodictyon3 Gynochthodes2 Hexasepalum2 Hoffmannia2 Hypobathrum2 Ixora2 Gardenia1 Genipa1 Gonzalagunia1 Gynochthodes1 Hamelia1 Heinsenia1 Heinsia1
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Gardenia Gardenia Ellis 1 item Gardenia Gardenia 21 item Genipa Genipa 1 item Geophila Geophila 6 items Goat bedstraw Galium caprarium Gonzalagunia Gonzalagunia 1 item Gouldia Gouldia Grey bedstraw Galium cinereum Guettarda Guettarda 8 items Gynochthodes Gynochthodes Blume 1 item Gynochthodes Gynochthodes 2 items Hamelia Hamelia Jacq. 1 item Hamelia Hamelia 3 items Heath bedstraw Galium saxatile Heath bedstraw Galium saxosum Hedyotis Hedyotis 16 items Heinsenia Heinsenia 1 item Heinsia Heinsia 1 item Heldreich's bedstraw Galium heldreichii Hemidiodia Hemidiodia Heterophyllaea Heterophyllaea 1 item Hexasepalum Hexasepalum 2 items Hillia Hillia 1 item Hindsia Hindsia 1 item Hoffmannia Hoffmannia 2 items Hooked bedstraw Galium hamatum Houstonia Houstonia Houstonia purpurea Houstonia purpurea Houstonia pusilla Houstonia pusilla Houstonia sharpii Houstonia sharpii Hydnophytum Hydnophytum 3 items Hydrophylax Hydrophylax 1 item Hymenocoleus Hymenocoleus 4 items Hymenodictyon Hymenodictyon 3 items Hyperacanthus Hyperacanthus 1 item Hypobathrum Hypobathrum 2 items Indian madder Rubia manjith Ipecac Cephaelis 1 item Ipecac Carapichea 1 item Ixora Ixora L. 2 items Ixora aggregata Ixora aggregata Ixora barbata Ixora barbata Ixora brachypoda Ixora brachypoda Ixora brevifolia Ixora brevifolia Ixora casei Ixora casei Ixora finlaysoniana Ixora finlaysoniana Ixora hookeri Ixora hookeri Ixora hybrid Ixora hybrids Ixora jucunda Ixora jucunda Ixora lobbii Ixora lobbii Ixora macrothyrsa Ixora macrothyrsa Ixora nigricans Ixora nigricans Ixora pavetta Ixora pavetta Ixora pendula Ixora pendula Ixora thwaitesii Ixora thwaitesii Jackiopsis Jackiopsis 1 item Javanese Ixora Ixora javanica Jerusalem bedstraw Galium hierosolymitanum Kamchatka bedstraw Galium kamtschaticum Kapakata coffee Coffea kapakata

Madder family

The plant is native to the warmer regions of Europe, the Mediterranean, and Central Asia. In agricultural practice, it is cultivated in areas that provide long, sunny growing seasons, which are essential for the maturation of the roots and the accumulation of primary metabolites, such as alizarin and purpurin.

The plant features a four-angled stem that can reach significant lengths, covered with tiny, downward-pointing prickles. Its leaves are whorled, and it produces small, yellowish-green flowers in terminal panicles. The root system is deep-reaching, consisting of fleshy, reddish rhizomes that are harvested after 2–3 years of growth.

Cultivation requires well-drained, sandy loam soils that are rich in calcium, as the plant is sensitive to acidic environments. Proper field management involves deep tillage to allow root penetration and the maintenance of optimal soil moisture. While robust, the crop requires careful weed management during the establishment phase, as young plants compete poorly.

Common madder is primarily used in the pharmaceutical industry to support renal health and in eco-friendly textile industries for fabric dyeing. Common issues include:

  • Root rot caused by excessive soil moisture.
  • Infestations of aphids and mites during hot, dry weather.
  • Fungal leaf spots during periods of high humidity.

Success in commercial production depends heavily on the harvest timing, which should occur in late autumn to ensure maximum concentration of bioactive compounds in the root tissue.