Bure
Goeppertia loeseneri
Orden: Order: Zingiberales
Familia: Family: Marantaceae
Género: Genus: Calathea
Especie: Species: Loeseneri
Nombres comunes: Common names: Bure, tinta verde
Parte de la planta que se usa para el pigmento: Part of the plant used for pigment: Leaf
Color: Blue-green
Bure pigment on paper. 102 x 68 cm
Pigmento de bure sobre papel.
102 x 68 cmBure 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.
Bure. Leticia, Colombia, 2011.
Descripción general
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.
Distribución geográfica
e historia natural
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.
Bure. Leticia, Colombia, 2011.
Usos
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.
Pigmento
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.
