To answer Jim McKenney's question "Can someone tell us why it was named > tinctoria? Is it a source of a dye?" I turned to the 'Flora of Ethiopia > and Eritrea'. This remarkable work says: 'Women cook and pound the tubers into a paste which has a strong red dye in it. The paste is applied to the palms of the hands and to the feet where it turns the skin and nails black and shiny. This treatment helps control fungal infections as well as toughen the skin. It is considered a beauty treatment similar to that of henna.' I think that the prospect of black finger nails does not warrant experimenting with my plants. John Grimshaw Dr John M. Grimshaw Sycamore Cottage Colesbourne Nr Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Tel. 01242 870567