A plant with history going back to the Neolithic era. Has yellow flowers in an umbel and blue dye is extracted from the leaves. Is listed as an invasive weed in many areas.
Plant Type
All Plants, Biennials
Sunlight
full
Moisture
average
Soil & Site
average
Flowers
yellow, borne in an umbel
Leaves
simple, green
Propagation
spreads by seeds
Native Site
Native to grasslands of southeastern Russia. Has spread and become a noxious weed in some areas.
Misc Facts
Besides a blue dye, Isatis has many medicinal uses. The blue dye from this plant was mixed with a yellow dye from Genista tinctoria to produce a green dye (#49).
Notes & Reference
#49-The History and Folklore of North American Wildflowers (Timothy Coffey)