Spanish ethnobotanical heritage

IV Reed pens, paintbrushes and women

The evolution of written culture has been contingent upon the availability of materials, which have varied according to the historical context, geographical location and economic circumstances of the users. For example, alternatives to gum Arabic were sometimes used, perhaps due to the scribes’ difficulties in procuring it or its sporadic unavailability. As an alternative, Graeco-Egyptian ink recipes use the resin of bdellium (Commiphora africana Endl.) or the sticky sap of the sycamore tree (Ficus sycomorus L.), both of which are common in Egypt. In Europe (including the Iberian Peninsula), where gum Arabic was an exotic imported product, alternatives were developed based on the possibilities offered by the native flora. The resin of cherry and plum trees was, and still is, used as an ink and paint binder in European countries.

The adaptation of written culture to the botanical tradition of the Iberian Peninsula reveals a rich history of the utilisation of local flora for the production of inks. Ethnobotanical studies show the occasional use of fruits such as the mulberry, the berries of the blackberry and barberry (Berberis hispanica Boiss.) and the small purple flowers of the Muscari neglectum Guss. More commonly, the berries of the elderberry (Sambucus ebulus L.) are documented for the production of black ink, and poppy petals (from the Papaver rhoeas L. and Papaver dubium L.) were used to produce red ink. The utilisation of these local natural resources reflects a deep understanding of the dyeing properties of wild plants. Such a traditional knowledge possesses not only functional value but also serve as a testament to local culture and identity, showcasing ingenuity in the face of scarcity.