Isatis tinctoria
Pastel des teinturiers
Woad
Additional information
| Plant family | |
|---|---|
| Area | Provence Verte |
| Flower colour | yellow |
| Flower size | 4 mm |
| Flowering months | May, June, July |
| Leaf type | Hastate |
| Height | 45-130 cm |
Description
In the first year a rosette of leaves appear, in the second year the stem and flowers emerge. The top of the stem is much branched with racemes of yellow flowers. Open, dry, rocky habitat.
Our ancestors used to crush the leaves and paint their bodies with the blue dye; it had a dual purpose, both frightening their adversaries and healing the wounds in battle.
It was a popular dye for fabrics, Toulouse became prosperous through the Woad trade. Woad was superseded by Indigo and both were superseded by synthetic dyes in the 20th century.
Flowers
Flowers in much branched racemes.
Leaves
Hastate spear-shaped leaf with horizontal lobes at base. Spear-shaped, bottom lobes clasping the stem, grey-green.
Fruits Seeds
Silique: clusters of small pendant, 2 fused carpels on a long stalk, first green, then brown, length being 3 x the width.
Medical
Leaves: once used to stop bleeding and assist in the healing of wounds and ulcers.
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