木蓝(Indigofera tinctoria)

“蓝有三种:蓼蓝如蓼,染绿;大蓝如芥,染碧;槐蓝如槐,染青。 三蓝皆可作淀,色成胜母,故曰青出于蓝而青于蓝。 ---郑樵(1105-1162)《通志》”此花即槐蓝(其叶如槐叶),乃今之所谓木蓝,远看苍翠氤氲,近观玲珑可爱,妙哉妙哉!

"Three types of blue exist: Polygonum blue (like knotweed) dyes viridian; great blue (like mustard) dyes jade; Sophora blue (like pagoda tree) dyes prussian. All three yield sediment pigments, their hues surpassing the mother plant—thus 'blue emerges from indigo, yet outshines indigo.'" —Zheng Qiao (1105–1162), 『Comprehensive Records 』

This flower is Sophora blue(槐蓝)—its leaves resembling pagoda foliage—known today as 木蓝 (Indigofera tinctoria). From afar, it melts into misty emerald; up close, it unfolds in exquisite delicacy. How marvelous!

#NaturePhotography #BotanicalWonders #IndigoPlants #AncientDyes #ChineseBotany #BlueDye #FloralArt #HistoryInBloom #plant #花花草草 #植物
 
 
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