Chaya root dye in Sri Lanka

772. The Chaya root of Ceylon is the Oldenlandia umbellata of Linnﾵus, and is used for dyeing red, orange, and purple. It gives rise, in Jaffna and the island of Manar, to a caste, whose sole occupation is to dig for chaya root. [Editor's Note: Chaya root is Oldenlandia (Hedyotis) umbellata. Indian Madder; Shaya, S; Chaya, T. (Rubiaceae.). It is a small annual, 200-300mm high found by the sea-coast in dry areas and used as a dye]

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