Florida Paint Root

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


This root grows in great abundance in the flat woods, near the streams, and in the savannahs of the counties of Levy, Marion, and South Florida. It has a top similar to the flag, and a root about the size of a man;s thumb, of various lengths, running horizontal, not far below the surlace. It is very juicy, and of a deep red color. Hogs are exceedingly fond ot it, and fatten on it rapidly, if they are black, or have blark hoofs. It is said by the old settlers that hogs with white hoofs seem to founder, and their hoof comes off, which causes them to perish unless fed well till they recover. Even when the animal has only one white hoof, and the others black, the white hoof comes off. The root colors the flesh, bones, and marrow, of hogs that feed upon it, and the urine becomes of the color of blood. There is no doubt this root may be substituted for madder, and be-come a source of no inconsiderable traffic to the people of Florida. Like the arrow root or comptait grows spontaneously in great abundance and may be cultivated, if thought advantageous. [Ocala (Fla.,) Mirror. Little can be done without determination, and no great acquirement without patience V and1 steady application.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 41This article was published with the title “Florida Paint Root” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 41 (), p. 321
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican06251853-321b

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe