The Craft of "Fire Grass": How Gerbera Fuzz Is Transformed into Durable Fabric in China

In southwest China, artisans hand-pick the fluff from gerbera leaves and, using an ancient method, twist it into a thread stronger than cotton. The fabric remains resilient, water-repellent, and lasts for decades.

The craft of "fire grass" weaving is a unique tradition in southwest China, where the inconspicuous white fluff on the underside of the Delaway gerbera leaves is used to create a durable and remarkably vibrant fabric. The raw material is hand-picked, selecting the leaves with the densest fibrous layer. The delicate fluff is then carefully separated from the green part, cleaned to create a uniform, lightweight fiber.

The Yi, Bai, and Lisu artisans transform this plant web into thread using an ancient method: they draw the fiber into a thin ribbon and twist it using only hand strength and friction against the thigh. This softens the wax contained in the hairs and securely binds the thread. This yarn is stronger than cotton, remains flexible, water-repellent, and virtually unbreakable.

The finished threads are wound into skeins and transferred to wooden looms, where they are transformed into a fabric with a natural softness and the ability to retain heat or coolness depending on the season. Fire grass fabric lasts for decades and is considered a symbol of painstaking craftsmanship. The craft itself, preserving ancient methods of processing plants, is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage of China.