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

Robison Herb Garden

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