Re: Allan Hall's comments about the lack of compilations of historical references to dyes, perhaps we are lucky in Scotland to have two easily available books that I know of about the use of dyes: Jean Fraser, 'Traditional Scottish Dyes' (lots on lichens) and Tess Darwin, 'The Scots Herbal', which includes dye plants.
Both are for a general audience, rather than by antiquarians and therefore not compilations of historical references, but they are a good starting point for information on traditional plant dyes. I don't have them with me so I don't know if either mentions Bryonia as a source of dye.
Althea
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Dr. Althea Davies
AHRB Research Centre for Environmental History
University of Stirling
Stirling FK9 4LA
Scotland UK
Tel: +44 (0)1786 466252
Fax: +44(0)1786 466521
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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