I have heard and read a couple of different theories about the origin of the term “poison green”.
One is that “poison green” was another name for “Scheele’s Green” so named after the 18th century Swedish chemist, Scheele. By using a solution of copper sulphate mixed with a solution of sodium arsenite, Scheele invented a new green pigment. The pigment was used in paints, wall coverings of paper and cloth, and as textile dye. It was, of course, a poisonous arsenic compound.
Another explanation is that a green dye was made using the Wormwood plant. Wormwood was used to make a tea that was toxic to parasitic worms, which used to be a problem for humans as well as animals. I have some wormwood in my garden; it is a rather pretty plant, related to the Dusty Miller plants you find for sale as annuals, except wormwood is taller. It spreads by roots and runners, and it must be contained or it will take over. Even most weeds do not grow near wormwood, so it definitely has some toxicity. I have not been able to locate a dye recipe using wormwood. If you know of one, please let me know!
Wormwood is also the source for absinthe, a substance that became an illegal drug in many countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Absinthe was processed from the plant and was used to make powerfully hallucinogenic green drinks. This is another possible reason for including “poison” in the name.
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