Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

Dyer's woad

Isatis tinctoria

L.

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Forb

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): Dyers woad

Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

N/A

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Root

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Fruit

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Flower

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Infestation

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Control

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Seed

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Multiple Life Stages

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

N/A

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Description

Appearance
Isatis tinctoria is a biennial member of the mustard family that can grow from 1-4 ft. (0.3-1.2 m) tall.
Foliage
First years growth is represented by a rosette of hairy, bluish-green leaves 1.5-7 in. (3.7-18 cm) long. Stem leaves are lance-shaped and alternate with a cream colored mid-rib.
Flowers
Flat-topped yellow flowers with four spoon shaped petals appear in small clusters at the top of the stems. Flowering occurs in spring to late summer.
Fruit
Seed pods are black or purplish, flattened, 0.4 in. (0.9 cm) long, 0.25 in. (0.6 cm) wide and hang from short stalks at the ends of the stems.
Ecological Threat
Isatis tinctoria occurs in areas with poor, dry soils such as roadsides, rangelands and open forests. Isatis tinctoria is native to central Asia and northern Russia and was introduced to North America in the early 1900’s as a contaminant in alfalfa seed.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): No

All Uses (GRIN): Honey production, Lipids, Tannin/dyestuff, Potential seed contaminant

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: Dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Dilleniidae
Order: Capparales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Isatis
Subject: Isatis tinctoria L.

Resources