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Isatis tinctoria
(Woad)

Family - Brassicaceae
Category - Biennial
Origin - Southern Europe
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer
Hardiness - H7
Height - 1.2m
Width - 45cm

Description: Upright Biennial with oblong to oblanceolate, blue-green foliage. In the second year, tall, vertical stems bear many yellow, small, cross-shaped flowers in Racemes. Flowers are produced from late spring into early summer and are followed by oblong black seed pods. Woad has been used throughout history for the indigo dye produced from the foliage.

Gallery Images:

Flower:

Tiny, yellow, cruciform flowers are produced in racemes in May and June. Flowers are followed by oblong black seed pods.

Flower colour: Yellow

Flower shape: Cruciform flowers in racemes

Flowering time: May, June

Foliage:

Blue-green leaves are oblong to oblanceolate in shape. Leaves are produced in basal rosettes during the first year and then up the flowering stems during the second year. The leaves can be used to make indigo blue dye.

Foliage Senescence: Deciduous

Foliage Shape: Oblong, oblanceolate

Propagation:

Seed.

Cultivation:

Best in full sun in reasonably fertile, moisture retentive, but well drained soil.