Woad-waxen


Woad-waxen

This species contains about 90 species of mainly deciduous, sometimes spiny shrubs, found in Europe, N Africa, and W Asia; it differs from Cytisus only in minute anatomical detail. Genista tinctoria was once widely used as a dye plant. All parts contain glycosides, notably luteolin glycosides, which produce a yellow dye that has been used since Roman times for dyeing fabrics. When used with woad (Isatis tinctoria, See woad) it produces Kendal green, the color used to dye woollen cloth, and also Lincoln green, the color worn by Robin Hood. Other constituents include alkaloids, some of which are similar to those found in the closely related Cytisus scoparius (See broom. Comparatively little research has been done on Genista, but is should be treated with caution, given that the alkaloids in Cytisus are known to affect the heart and respiration. In the 14th century both G. tinctoria and Cytisus scoparius were used to make Unguentum geneste, an ointment for gouty limbs.

Variable, deciduous, usually non-spiny shrub with bright green, stalkless, lanceolate leaves, to 5cm (2in) long. Yellow pea flowers, about 1cm (½in) long appear in upright racemes, to 6cm (2½in) long, in summer.


Common Name:
Woad-waxen
Other Names:
Dyer's Greenweed
Botanical Name:
Genista tinctoria
Genus:
Genista
Family:
Papilionaceae
Native Location:
Europe, W Asia
Cultivation:
Light, well-drained soil in sun. Tolerates dry, poor, or sandy soils. Established plants do not transplant well. No regular pruning is required, but shoots can be thinned and/or pinched out after flowering to improve shape. Some Genista are subject to certain plant controls in parts of Australia.
Propagation:
By seed sown in autumn or spring; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:
Leafy branches are cut before the plant sets seed, and dried for infusions. Dried herb should not be stored for more than a year.
Height:
60-90cm (24-36in)
Width:
1m (3ft)
Variations:
Flore Pleno syn. Plena
Is dwarf, with double flowers.
Height: 35cm (14in)

Royal Gold is upright, with flowers in conical racemes, to 8cm (3in) long
Height: 1m (3ft)
Hardiness:
Z4-7
Parts Used:
Flowering plant
Properties:
A bitter, diuretic, purgative, emetic herb that acts as a weak cardiac stimulant and vasoconstrictor.
Medicinal Uses:
Formerly used internally for gout, rheumatism, and dropsy; externally for fractures, sciatica, abscesses, and tumors.
Culinary Uses:
Flower buds can be pickled as a substitute for capers.
Economic Uses:
Flowers yield natural yellow dyes for wool.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 222