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Isatis tinctoria

Isatis tinctoria

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WoadBiennial, HerbFamily: Brassicaceae

Height: 2mSpread: 50cm

Attractive to wildlife

Flower colour:

Yellow

Foliage colour:

Green

Position

Sun Exposure:

Dappled shade, full sun

Aspect:

South facing, west facing

Woad is a European native wildflower, traditionally used as a clothing dye and body paint. The dye is made from the leaves, which are collected from flowering stems and dried in the sun. Once dry, the leaves are ground into paste and left to ferment. The fermented leaves are then moulded into cakes, mixed with water and fermented again. The final step is to infuse the twice-fermented leaves with lime water. The dye is blue and used in place of indigo.

Biennial, woad develops leaf rosettes and deep roots in its first year, and flowers in its second year, before setting seed and dying. Flowers appear in loose racemes, are yellow and develop into large, flat, blue-black seedheads.

Woad is a member of the cabbage family and therefore should be rotated to prevent the build up of diseases, including club root.

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Isatis ‘Tinctoria’ and wildlife

Isatis ‘Tinctoria’ is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Is known to attract Bees

Bees

Is known to attract Beneficial insects

Beneficial insects

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Butterflies/Moths

Butterflies/Moths

Is known to attract Other pollinators

Other pollinators

Is Isatis ‘Tinctoria’ poisonous?

Isatis ‘Tinctoria’ has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Cats

Cats

Is not known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is not known to attract People

People