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The nature of the red dye present in the leaves of ''Pauridiantha rubens'' has not been studied. Several alkaloids have been identified in related species: harman, pauridianthin and pauridianthinin in the root bark of ''Pauridiantha callicarpoides'' (Hiern) Bremek., and pauridianthin and pauridianthinol in ''Pauridiantha lyalii'' Bremek. The dye potential of ''Pauridiantha rubens'' is optimized by the mordanting effect of the aluminium present in the leaves. Aluminium accumulation in leaves seems to be a chemotaxonomic characteristic of the ''Pauridiantha'' genus.

Shrub or small tree up to 7 m tall, almost glabrous, with stem up to 15 cm in diameter. Leaves opposite, simple and entire; stipules up to 25 mm × 14 mm, normally persistent but falling near inflorescences; petiole up to 3.5 cm long; blade elliptical, 12–32 cm × 5–15 cm, base acute, apex acuminate, midrib very prominent below, young leaves brownish above, red below. Inflorescence an axillary panicle up to 4 cm long, solitary or in pairs; peduncle 1–1.5 cm long. Flowers bisexual, regular, 5-merous; pedicel up to 4 mm long; calyx cupular, truncate at apex or with small teeth; corolla white-green to green, tubular with triangular lobes up to 2 mm long; stamens short; disk c. 2 mm in diameter; ovary inferior, 2-celled, style c. 3 mm long, ending in 2 stigmatic lobes. Fruit a flattened globose berry up to 5 mm × 8 mm, many-seeded. Seeds c. 1 mm long.

''Pauridiantha'' comprises about 25 species, all African (1 in Madagascar).

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[[Category:Dyes and tannins (PROTA)]]