Jurema Preta: Mimosa Hostilis Root Bark from Brazil
In north-eastern Brazil, Mimosa hostilis is known as jurema preta. It is one of the characteristic trees of the caatinga, the dry thorn forest that covers much of the region, and it plays a practical role in rural life there.
A tree of the caatinga
The caatinga has long dry seasons and thin soils. Jurema preta is well adapted to it: the tree drops its leaves in drought, resprouts strongly after cutting, and is quick to colonise open ground. As a member of the pea family it also helps to enrich poor soil.
How the tree is used locally
- Wood and charcoal – the hard, dense wood is valued for fence posts, firewood and charcoal.
- Forage – goats and cattle browse the leaves and pods, particularly in the dry season.
- Tanning and dye – the bark’s high tannin content makes it a traditional material for tanning hides and colouring cloth.
- Land restoration – because it establishes easily, the tree is used to help recover degraded land.
Working with powdered bark
For dyeing, the powdered form of the inner root bark is the quickest to use. A common approach is to simmer the powder gently in water for an hour, let the sediment settle, and strain the liquid through a fine cloth before adding pre-wetted fibre. Straining well matters with powder, because loose particles can leave specks on fabric.
Brazilian and Mexican bark
Jurema preta and Mexican tepezcohuite are the same species, Mimosa tenuiflora. As with any natural material, colour and texture vary with growing conditions, the age of the tree and how the bark was dried, so it is worth testing a small sample from each new batch before a large project.
Read more in What is Mimosa hostilis root bark? or see our root bark powder.
Common questions
What does jurema preta mean?
It is the Portuguese common name for the tree; preta means black, a reference to its dark bark.
What is the caatinga?
The caatinga is a dry thorn-forest biome found only in north-eastern Brazil, with long dry seasons and drought-adapted plants.
Is Brazilian bark different from Mexican bark?
Both come from the same species. Colour and texture vary a little with growing conditions and drying, so test a sample from each new batch.
Why is powder convenient for dyers?
It releases colour quickly. The trade-off is that it must be strained through a fine cloth to avoid specks on fabric.
