Turmeric ( curcuma longa ) a native to India and China, is sometimes called Indian saffron plant. Turmeric is used as a coloring agent. Silk and wool were dyed with turmeric powder in Asia, Greece and Rome. It also has been used as a dye to deepen the colour obtained with fustic or weld. In the orient a scarlet color was produced by dyeing first with turmeric and then over dyeing with a dye made from safflower. Turmeric is still exported from the countries that produce it, mainly for use as a dye for foodstuffs, cosmetics, paper, and leather. In the countries of origin, it is still used as a textile dye, which as a direct dye can be painted on finished textiles. The yellow on warp-faced cotton cloths from Sumba in Indonesia has generally been painted on with curcuma. In addition to Curcuma domestica, there are other species that are cultivated, e.g., Curcuma xanthoriza ROXB. On Java and in southern China .
