Dyer's Broom

Other names

Woadwaxen, Dyer'S Greenweed, Woodwaxen

Growth habit

Dwarf Shrub

Perennation

Long-lived perennial

Native distribution

Europe, W. Asia, Naturalized in E. N. Amer.

Biocultural value

Leaves and stems produce a greenish-yellow dye of excellent fastness on wool. When overdyed with indigo blue a clear green results.

Location

Robison Herb Garden

Source of plant

Companion Plants, Jardins Botaniques Munipaux

Description

Erect or procumbent shrub reaching 3' in height; branches striped, leaves bright green with one leaflet;leaflets mostly elliptic-oblong, to 1" long, ciliate, nearly glabrous. Flowers in many-flowered, leafyracemes panicled at the ends of the branches, borne in summer; fruit narrowly oblong, 6- to 10-seeded.

USDA Hardiness Zone

5

Special characteristics

other ethnobotanical uses, winter interest