UK Flowers: Herbs, Shrubs, Vines & Trees
UK Flowers

UK Dyer's WoadAlso known as: Woad

Herb Icon Cultivated Flower     First Aid Symbol 
Image of Dyer's Woad
Isatis tinctoria
Family: Brassicaceae

Flower Properties

Property Value
English Name Dyer's Woad
Also Known As Woad
Scientific Name Isatis tinctoria
MainColor Yellow
PlantType Herb Icon Herb
Distribution Cultivated Flower Cultivated
Season Found May (May - Jul)
ImageUrl Isatis-001
Photographer DP
Location Found Bedmond
Country Found UK
Last Updated 11 September 2026
Photo Quality A

Flower Details

Description

Woad is a biennial plant with rosettes of lance-shaped leaves and tall flowering stems that bear clusters of small yellow flowers. The plant can grow up to 1.5 metres in height and is known for its distinctive blue dye extracted from its leaves.

Distribution

Native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, woad has been naturalised in many parts of Europe and North America. It typically grows in sunny, well-drained soils and is often found in disturbed areas.

Medicinal/Other Uses First Aid Symbol

✅ Historically used as a source of blue dye, woad has also been used in traditional medicine for its purported anti-inflammatory properties.

Edibility

Inedible - the plant is not considered suitable for human consumption.

Human Toxicity
Non_Toxic

Non Toxic - no significant toxic effects reported in humans.

Pet Toxicity Pet Toxicity

Non Toxic - no known toxicity to pets.

Active Compounds

Indican, isatan B, isatin.

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