woad

Also known as: ash of Jerusalem; common dyer's weed; dyer's weed; dyer's woad; Jerusalem ash

I. tinctoria is an upright biennial, or sometimes a short-lived perennial, up to 1.2m high, with basal rosettes of oblanceolate leaves, stems with arrow-shaped leaves, and heads of yellow flowers in early summer, followed by brown seedheads in late summer; the flowers are good for bees, and the famous blue dye is obtained from the leaves

woad

Scientific classification

Species
woad (Isatis tinctoria)
Genus
Isatis
Family
Brassicaceae
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Annual Biennial
Plant type
1-1.5 metres
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
Deciduous
Foliage
Columnar upright
Habit
Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest
Full sun
Sunlight
Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

woad pictures

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Distribution of woad

Distribution map

C and Southern Europe

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Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Information to be completed

Quick identification of woad

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woad care guide

Average moisture levels, drought tolerant once root system matures
Watering
Full sun
Sunlight
Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Average moisture levels, drought tolerant once root system matures

Fertilizing

Single spring application of slow-release general garden fertilizer

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in autumn in a seed bed and transplanted in spring, or sown in spring in its intended planting place

Growing

Grow in well-drained, preferably neutral or alkaline soil, in full sun; it tolerates poor infertile soils

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Common pests and diseases

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Pests

Generally pest-free

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