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| Phaeolus schweinitzii |
It’s a large, woody bracket fungus often found growing at the base of conifers, especially pines and spruces.
When used in dyeing, it produces an impressive range of colours — from bright yellows and golds to rich browns and olive greens, depending on the mordant (the fixative used, such as alum, iron, or copper).
Among natural dyers like myself, Phaeolus schweinitzii is especially beloved because it’s common, easy to identify, and produces reliably beautiful hues — truly one of nature’s master colourists.
Other interesting dye fungi include:
Fungi like Phaeolus schweinitzii belong to an ancient lineage with roots deep in Earth’s history.
Other interesting dye fungi include:
- Dermocybe (Cortinarius) species – These vividly coloured mushrooms yield brilliant reds, oranges, and purples, though some species are rare or toxic and should be handled with care.
- Hypholoma fasciculare (Sulphur Tuft) – Produces bright yellows.
- Inonotus hispidus – Can give orange to reddish-brown tones.
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| Phaeolus schweinitzii |
The earliest fossil evidence of fungi dates back over 900 million years, with well-preserved examples from the Proterozoic and early Cambrian periods showing that fungal life was already thriving long before plants colonised land.
Fossilised wood from the Devonian (around 400 million years ago) reveals evidence of wood-decaying fungi much like today’s bracket forms — the ancestors of modern polypores.
These early decomposers helped shape entire ecosystems, breaking down tough plant material and recycling nutrients, paving the way for the lush forests that followed.
It is awe inspiring to consider that when we are working with Phaeolus schweinitzii, you are creating colour in collaboration with a lineage nearly a billion years old — part of the ancient chemistry that connects the forest floor to the fabric of human culture.
It is awe inspiring to consider that when we are working with Phaeolus schweinitzii, you are creating colour in collaboration with a lineage nearly a billion years old — part of the ancient chemistry that connects the forest floor to the fabric of human culture.
