Question

Bark dyes are obtained from _________

• A. Butea monosperma
• B. Mammea longifolia
• C. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
• D. Rubia cordifolia

Hint:

Dyes extracted from bark are typically rich in natural tannins, which act as natural mordants to fix the colorant compounds directly to fibers without requiring synthetic additives.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Many non-timber forest products include natural dyes extracted from various plant organs, such as flowers, bark, roots, leaves, and seeds.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us review the primary natural dye sources for each plant:
- Rubia cordifolia (Manjistha) is famous for yielding a rich red dye from its roots.
- Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Harsingar) yields a saffron-yellow dye from the corolla tubes of its flowers.
- Butea monosperma (Flame of the Forest) is famous for its vibrant orange-red flower dye used in festivals like Holi. However, the bark of Butea monosperma is also heavily utilized to extract a durable red-brown dye and tannin. This bark extract is widely used in leather processing and textile dyeing.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, bark dyes are obtained from Butea monosperma, corresponding to option (A).