angiescarr

Hi.
I wonder if anyone can give me the name of a wild plant. I thought it was called a carmine, Because my Spanish friend said the colour from the berries was 'carmina'. It grows between 2 ft and 9ft high depending on water availability and has spikes of berries that start off looking like tiny green satsumas about 6-8mm across which ripen to black and yeild a bright red juice. I've no idea if it's poisonous but my friend who is getting on for 70 says as kids they used to squeeze the juice onto their fingernails to dye them.

Avarice

crocosmia carmine i think

angiescarr

Thanks ...but not the one Avarice. The plant I'm looking for isn't a 'pretty flower'. Much more of a wayside weed;-)

strobl_j

Good chance it is pokeweed / inkberry

http://urbpan.livejournal.com/375157.html

angiescarr

Trust you! (the husband). Yeah he's right.
I don't know how he does it. I'd looked all over t'internet and found nothing.
Looks like I can use it as a dye for my 12th scale redskin potatoes though!