Dyer's Woad
Isatis tinctoria
Brassicaceae
Other names
Asp-Of-Jerusalem
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Biennial
Native distribution
Europe
Biocultural value
Leaves were an important blue dye in the Middle Ages. Caesar recorded in 55 B.C. that the Picts of Britain dyed their skin with woad.
Location
Source of plant
Cornell Botanic Gardens
Description
Biennial, reaching 3' in height, glabrous above. Leaves oblong to lanceolate, to 4" long, entire or toothed, stem leaves clasping or auricled. Flowers yellow in terminal panicles.
USDA Hardiness Zone
5
Special characteristics
other ethnobotanical uses