Biology students turn plants into colors

by Colby Hernandez, Media Editor

Dr. Stephanie Harvey has an online class called Use and Abuse of Plants. Though the lab exercises can be done at home, many students choose to do them with Dr. Harvey on campus. “The class is actually online,” Dr. Harvey told me, “but some of the labs we do face to face because I have more toys, or it’s safer which is actually an issue.” On November 12th, Kylie Lawhorn, Brooke Wiesner, and Sydney McCord opted to do the lab on plant dyes in person. The three learned about five different dyes derived from plants; Brazilwood, turmeric, q’olle flower, indigo, and onion skins. In order, these dyes stain pink to red, yellow, gold, blue, and yellow. After Dr. Harvey demonstrated, the students dyed scraps of silk to determine which colors they liked. After this, they dyed white silk scarves in their chosen color with tie-dye patterns.

Left to right: Kylie Lawhorn (Senior, Biology), Sydney McCord (Senior, Biology), Brooke Wiesner (Junior, psychology), and Dr. Stephanie Harvey.

These scraps are freshly dyed. From left to right, q’olle flower, soaked in brazilwood, dipped in brazilwood, and tumeric.

Brooke’s scarf, dyed with brazilwood.

Previously dyed scraps.

Sydney’s scarf, dyed with tumeric.

Kylie’s scarf, dyed with brazilwood.

Dr. Harvey shows off a scarf dyed with indigo.

Brooke rinsing off her scarf.

Sydney gets a bit of tumeric to dye her scarf.

Dr. Harvey helps Brooke to fold her scarf.